HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Pay

Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 2W, on pay, what the pay figures for 2010-11 would be if the pay of staff employed by PICT were included.

John Thurso: The answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 2W, gave a figure of £57 million for salaries paid to House of Commons staff in 2010-11. This was based on the draft accounts at 23 May 2011. In the final version of the House of Commons Resource Accounts (HC 1423) the equivalent figure fell to £55 million owing to later accounting adjustments. The amount paid in total salaries to staff in the House of Commons plus PICT for the financial year 2010-11 was £64 million. PICT is a joint department of both Houses and the equivalent net cost to the House of Commons is £62 million after taking account of the House of Lords contribution.

PRIME MINISTER

10 Downing Street

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister what records 10 Downing street keeps of (a) the (i) name and (ii) number of visitors who have entered 10 Downing street through a back entrance since 6 May 2010 and (b) the dates of such visits.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the list of official meetings by Ministers with external organisations which is published on a quarterly basis and to the list of meetings with proprietors, editors and senior media executives which was published on 15 July 2011. This is available on the Number 10 website and will be updated quarterly:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-published-details-of-visitors-to-chequers/
	I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 926.

Airports: Security

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Prime Minister if he will consider the merits of placing all aviation security matters under the auspices of the Home Department.

David Cameron: The Home Office lead on counter terrorism and the Department for Transport on aeroplane and airport security. Both Departments work closely with each other including through the Cabinet Office.

Appointments

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister what his last appointment was in London before Christmas 2010.

David Cameron: On 21 December 2010 I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, including Cabinet. I also refer the hon. Member to the news story that was published on the Number 10 website on 22 December 201:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-and-prince-charles-visit-injured-troops/

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister which the first occasion was that he discussed BSkyB with (a) Rebekah Brooks and (b) James Murdoch after 22 December 2010.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 935.

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether he received advice from the (a) information and security services and (b) police in advance of employing Andy Coulson;
	(2)  which company the Government engaged to vet the appointment of Andy Coulson as Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street; on what date; and at what cost.

Owen Smith: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether the company which conducted the security vetting of Mr Andy Coulson, upon his appointment as Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street, was an accredited national security vetting provider;
	(2)  whether (a) Mr Edward Llewelyn, (b) Mr Steve Hilton, (c) Mr Craig Oliver, (d) Mr Andrew Cooper and (e) Mr Andy Coulson were subject to (i) baseline personnel security standard vetting, (ii) a counter terrorist check, (iii) a security check and (iv) developed vetting.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 939. I also refer the hon. Members to the letter sent by the Cabinet Secretary to the hon. Member for Bury South (Mr Lewis) on 22 July 2011. A copy of this is available on the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/andy-coulson-sir-gus-odonnells-letter-ivan-lewis-mp

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

George Howarth: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the statement of 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 939, 
	(1)  what advice he received prior to taking his decision to take himself out of the decision-making process in respect of the acquisition of BSkyB; and whether contacts during the course of his meetings with senior staff from News International at formal meetings or socially, constrained him from taking part in that process;
	(2)  for what reasons it was not appropriate for him to take a view on the proposed takeover by NewsCorp of BSkyB; what record was taken of his meetings with senior staff from News International; and if he will place a copy of such records in the Library;

David Cameron: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer 1 gave to the hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 939. I also refer the right hon. Member to the list of proprietors, senior executives and editors of media organisations that I have met since the general election which was published on Friday 15 July 2011. This is available on the Number 10 website
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-published-details-of-visitors-to-chequers/
	and will be updated quarterly.

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish his Office's records of each communication between his (a) chief of staff, (b) political office and (c) press office and special advisers in (i) HM Treasury, (ii) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and (iii) the Home Office in which Andy Coulson's name was part of the communication in 2011.

David Cameron: In carrying out their duties, on whatever the subject matter, special advisers and civil servants carry out their duties in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and the Civil Service Code.

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) telephone calls, (b) meetings and (c) email exchanges his chief of staff has had with Andy Coulson in 2011 to date.

David Cameron: Andy Coulson has not visited Downing Street since his departure on 30 January 2011.

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister how many discussions (a) in person and (b) by telephone he has had with Andy Coulson since Mr Coulson resigned; on what dates; which conversations were monitored by officials of his Department; and what was discussed on each occasion.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 954.

British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister how long Andy Coulson stayed at Chequers on his most recent visit; who else was present at Chequers at that time; and whether he discussed with Andy Coulson any issue relating to (a) the proposed News Corporation bid for BSkyB and (b) allegations of phone hacking and associated activities on that occasion.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 950, to the hon. Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson).

Departmental Mobile Phones

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister how many mobile phones he has that are (a) wholly and (b) partially funded from the public purse.

David Cameron: I have access to a range of mobile communication devices.

John Yates

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister on what date his chief of staff has communicated with Assistant Commissioner John Yates since his appointment; and whom his chief of staff informed of each such communication.

David Cameron: My Chief of Staff has meetings and discussions with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects. I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 920.

Lockerbie: Moussa Koussa

Mike Hancock: To ask the Prime Minister whether Moussa Koussa was interviewed by Scottish police in respect of the Lockerbie bombing.

David Cameron: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to him during my statement on 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 45.

Neil Wallis

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether his staff exchanged emails with Neil Wallis in (a) 2010 or (b) 2011; on what dates; and which officials were involved;
	(2)  whether he and his officials have met (a) Neil Wallis and (b) other representatives of Chamy Media since May 2010;
	(3)  what communications (a) he, (b) officials in his private office and (c) (i) press officers, (ii) other officials and (iii) special advisers in 10 Downing street have had by (A) e-mail, (B) meeting, (C) telephone call and (D) letter with Neil Wallis since his appointment; and on what dates;
	(4)  what occasion his chief of staff communicated with Neil Wallis by (a) email, (b) personal meeting, (c) telephone and (d) letter since 6 May 2010;
	(5)  whether (a) he, (b) his private office staff, (c) his special advisers and (d) his press officers had (i) telephone, (ii) email and (iii) face-to-face contact with Neil Wallis in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the record of any such communications.

David Cameron: Our records suggest Mr Wallis visited Downing street to meet Andy Coulson for a drink on 26 May 2010. Andy Coulson and my Chief of Staff attended a working dinner hosted by Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson at Scotland Yard in June 2010 at which Neil Wallis was present, as has already been made clear.

Neil Wallis

Toby Perkins: To ask the Prime Minister when he was first informed that Neil Wallis was employed by the Metropolitan police.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 20 July 2011, Official Report, columns 920-21, and to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson), on 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 926.

News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  on what dates he has met (a) Rebekah Brooks and (b) James Murdoch in his official capacity since May 2010;
	(2)  on how many occasions he met Rebekah Brooks between 21 December 2010 and 5 January 2011; and (a) where and (b) on what date each such meeting took place.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the list of proprietors, senior executives and editors of media organisations that I have met since the general election which was published on 15 July 2011. This is available on the Number 10 website at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-published-details-of-visitors-to-chequers/
	and will be updated quarterly.

News Corporation

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  on what dates his chief of staff has (a) spoken in person and (b) communicated by (i) email, (ii) text and (iii) telephone to which (A) employees, (B) advisers and (C) other representatives of (1) News Corporation and (2) News International or their media outlets since 1 December 2010;
	(2)  on what dates since 6 May 2010 (a) employees, (b) owners, (c) advisers and (d) other representatives of (i) News Corporation and (ii) News International or any of their media outlets have visited (A) 10 Downing Street, (B) Chequers and (C) his office at the House of Commons; and who visited in each case;
	(3)  on what occasions his chief of staff has communicated with (a) James Murdoch, (b) Rebekah Brooks and (c) other representatives of News International and News Corporation by e-mail, personal meeting, telephone or letter.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the list of proprietors, senior executives and editors of media organisations that I have met since the general election which was published on 15 July 2011. This is available on the Number 10 website at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-published-details-of-visitors-to-chequers/
	and will be updated quarterly.
	Special advisers publish all hospitality received and will publish all meetings with senior media executives.

News Corporation

Luciana Berger: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish logs of his telephone calls with (a) James Murdoch, (b) Rupert Murdoch, (c) Rebekah Brooks and (d) Andy Coulson since he left his position as Director of Communications.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish logs of telephone calls he has had with (a) James Murdoch, (b) Rupert Murdoch, (c) Rebekah Brooks and (d) Andy Coulson since he left his position as the Prime Minister's Director of Communications.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will publish logs of telephone calls between him and (a)(i) James Murdoch, (ii) Rupert Murdoch and (iii) Rebekah Brooks since his appointment and (b) Andy Coulson since the date of his resignation as Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street;

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Members to the list of meetings with proprietors, editors and senior media executives since May 2010 which was published on 15 July 2011. This is available on the Number 10 website
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-published-details-of-visitors-to-chequers
	and will be updated quarterly. I am the first Prime Minister to publish such material, I have telephone calls with a wide variety of people.

Newspaper Press

Luciana Berger: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the logs of telephone calls he has had with newspaper editors and proprietors since May 2010.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish logs of telephone calls he has had with newspaper editors and proprietors since May 2010.

Ian Lucas: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish logs of telephone calls between him and newspaper editors and proprietors since his appointment.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Members to the list of meetings with proprietors, editors and senior media executives since May 2010 which was published on 15 July 2011. This is available on the Number 10 website
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/pm-published-details-of-visitors-to-chequers
	and will be updated quarterly. I am the first Prime Minister to publish such material, I have telephone calls with a wide variety of people.

Newspaper Press

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister whether his chief of staff informed anyone in 10 Downing Street of a dossier communicated to him by The Guardian newspaper; and if so whom.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 302-03.

Rebekah Brooks

John Mann: To ask the Prime Minister at what time and on what date his Office published the details of his social engagement with Rebekah Brooks on 26 December 2010.

David Cameron: This was published on 15 July 2011.

JUSTICE

Civil Disorder

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what effect public disorder in August 2011 in England and Wales will have on the funding of (a) probation, (b) courts and (c) prison services.

Jonathan Djanogly: The recent civil disorder will potentially impact the operational costs of the Ministry of Justice, including courts, probation, and prison services. As part of our regular financial and operational management we are monitoring sentencing trends and prison population against our financial and capacity plans. The full impact of the public disorder will not be known until all offenders have been sentenced by the courts.

Civil Disorder

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether public disorder in August 2011 in England and Wales will result in a review of budgets for criminal justice agencies during 2011-12 and subsequent financial years.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice has responsibility for the criminal justice system and my Department works closely with the Home Office and Attorney-General's Office.
	As part of its regular financial and operational management, the Ministry of Justice monitors sentencing trends and prison population against the financial and capacity plans. The Department is closely monitoring the impact on its services, but the full scale of the financial implications will not be known until all offenders have been sentenced by the courts.
	In relation to the police, there is no plan to review the funding settlement. Although challenging, the Home Office believes that the settlement they have reached for the police is both fair and manageable. There is no question that the police will have the resources to do their important work.
	The CPS is currently assessing the additional costs which will be incurred as a result of the recent public disorder. Investigations and prosecutions will continue over the next two years at least and the full impact will not be known until all investigations and prosecutions are concluded.
	The Ministry of Justice and CPS will continue to keep the Treasury informed about the implications for their financial position.

Departmental Procurement

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what methodology (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible used to estimate savings to the public purse made in respect of its procurement and purchasing since May 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Ministry of Justice tracks savings in a monthly performance report. From April 2011 the methodology described at point (i) has been used to record these savings. Note that from May 2010 to April 2011 a similar methodology was used albeit the reporting of cost pressures was less refined.
	(i) The procurement performance report provides a monthly forecast of in year procurement savings, cost pressures, cost avoidance and the resulting net impact on the financial year to senior managers, the MoJ Procurement Committee and the MoJ Finance Committee.
	Savings are recorded by Procurement Category Leads in accordance with OGC Guidance “Procurement Efficiency and Value for Money Measurement—Efficiency Programme Guidance”. Savings are recorded against the category of spend the saving as defined by the OGC 2008 Procurement Spend Survey. Savings and changes in savings are registered through exception reports on a monthly basis and signed off by business stakeholders.
	Cashable savings
	A cashable saving is defined as
	“efficiencies that release financial resources whilst maintaining outputs and output quality, thereby enabling the resources that are released to be diverted to other services".
	Savings are recorded as the total amount claimed excluding VAT rounded to the nearest whole pound. Cashable savings are reported as 'in year' savings (the pro rata saving enabled during the financial year in which the initiative was delivered) and 'full year effect' savings (the initiatives impact on the following financial year)
	Cost pressures
	Cost pressures are recorded against MoJ categories of spend and are forecast for the 2011-12 financial year. These pressures are reported across Procurement Major Contracts, Category Management, ICT Procurement and Transport and Logistics. Cost pressures are recorded against the following 'types’ of pressure;
	Inflation
	Change in legislation/Policy
	Supplier price increase above inflation
	Other
	Cost avoidance savings
	Cost avoidance savings enabled by MoJ Procurement are calculated by comparing projected spend with counterfactual spend whereby a saving results when spend is lower than it would have been otherwise had the cost avoidance exercise had not been undertaken. Counterfactual spend is based on a 'do nothing' approach ie if the MoJ did nothing then spend would rise in line with inflation. Cost avoidance, if enabled, will be recorded against relevant forecasted cost pressures. Non-cashable savings are not recorded unless they are to negate a recorded cost pressure.
	The net savings effect is provided for MoJ as a whole and by MoJ Corporate, NOMS and HMCTS business groups. The net savings effect = enabled savings + remaining forecast savings - forecast annual cost pressure + enabled cost avoidance.
	(b) The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) does not hold centrally information regarding the methodology used by NDPBs to estimate savings to the public purse made in respect of its procurement and purchasing. This information can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost to the Department, by requesting this information from every NDPB.

Legal Aid Scheme: Asylum

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost of legal aid provided for asylum seekers was in each of the last eight years.

Jonathan Djanogly: It is not possible to disaggregate asylum spending from other immigration spending in all cases, nor is it possible to identify legal aid spending on asylum seekers in other categories of law; for example, family law and criminal law. Therefore, the figures in the following table show total legal aid spending on the immigration and asylum category of law.
	
		
			  Total in £ million cash 
			 2003-04 200 
			 2004-05 177 
			 2005-06 103 
			 2006-07 80 
			 2007-08 86 
			 2008-09 88 
			 2009-10 90 
			 2009-10 84

NHS: Negligence

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will estimate the level of costs payable by the Department of Health if legal aid funding were to be retained for children with catastrophic injuries as a result of alleged clinical negligence.

Jonathan Djanogly: According to data held by the Legal Services Commission the volume of children under the age of 18 which received legal aid for clinical negligence closed in 2010-11 was 587 and gross spend was £6,278,733. A further detailed breakdown is not available.

Youth Custody

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were held in the youth secure estate on each night since 1 August 2011.

Crispin Blunt: The table shows the number of young people held in the secure estate for children and young people on each week night for the period from 1 August 2011 to 5 September 2011.
	Young people are defined as those aged 10 to 17 years of age, however some 18-year-olds remain in the secure estate for children and young people if they only have a short period of their sentence left to serve, to avoid disrupting their regimes (and are included in these figures). This data is from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and refers to Secure Training Centres (STCs), Secure Children's Homes (SCHs), and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs). The data are drawn from the daily operational data provided by each establishment, and therefore does not include data on weekends or bank holidays. It also does not include 18 to 21-year-olds held in YOI separate units for which the YJB do not hold data.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of young people held in the secure estate for children and young people on each week night from 1 August to 5 September 2011 
			 Date Number 
			 August  
			 1 2,117 
			 2 2,117 
			 3 2,116 
			 4 2,107 
			 5 2,104 
			 6 — 
			 7 — 
			 8 2,095 
			 9 2,099 
			 10 2,094 
			 11 2,129 
			 12 2,144 
			 13 — 
			 14 — 
			 15 2,181 
			 16 2,209 
			 17 2,234 
			 18 2,254 
			 19 2,245 
			 20 — 
			 21 — 
			 22 2,243 
			 23 2,265 
			 24 2,253 
			 25 2,245 
			 26 2,243 
			 27 — 
			 28 — 
			 29 — 
			 30 2,258 
			 31 2,247 
			   
			 September  
			 1 2,253 
			 2 2,236 
			 3 — 
			 4 — 
			 5 2,224 
			 Notes: 1. 2011 YJB data referring to Secure Training Centres (STCs), Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs), and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs). The data is drawn from the daily operational data provided by each establishment, and therefore does not include data on weekends or bank holidays. It also does not include 18 to 21-year-olds held in YOI separate units for which the YJB do not hold data. 2. Young people are defined as those aged 10 to 17 years of age, however some 18-year-olds remain in the secure estate for children and young people if they only have a short period of their sentence left to serve, to avoid disrupting their regimes (and are included in these figures).

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Electricity Supply

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the amount of electricity that will be generated by the Shears Mill mini-hydro scheme on the River Itchen; and how many homes he estimates the project will power.

Gregory Barker: Information on individual hydro projects relating to applications for permits can be sought directly from the Environment Agency.

Energy Supply: Older People

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) males and (b) females aged over 60 years had (i) gas supplies and (ii) electricity supplies disconnected in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Charles Hendry: Ofgem monitors and publishes information about the disconnection of gas and electricity supplies. However, the disconnection data are not collected by age or gender. The following tables shows the total number of disconnections due to debt for gas and electricity in each year from 1998 to 2010.
	
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 Gas 29,500 22,177 16,500 26,088 21,780 15,973 
			 Electricity 400 373 300 375 995 1,361 
		
	
	
		
			  2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Gas 2,553 2,309 3,859 5J27 2,999 1,794 813 
			 Electricity 727 604 1,258 2,657 2,891 2,433 1,988 
		
	
	Existing supply licence obligations and an industry code of practice provide protection for consumers in debt. Suppliers must not disconnect a domestic premises during October to March if they know or have reason to believe that the customer is of pensionable age and lives alone, or only lives with other pensions or children under the age of 18.

Energy: Prices

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations he has received on increases in domestic electricity and gas prices; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials have received a number of representations on market issues.
	Consumers deserve the best possible deal, which means effective competition in the marketplace. We are cutting red tape for smaller suppliers to boost competition in retail markets, while Ofgem is tackling other barriers to effective competition (such as tariff complexity and low wholesale market liquidity) in its retail market review.

Fossil Fuels

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to introduce regulatory guidelines for fracking.

Charles Hendry: The UK has a strong regulatory safety and environmental regime in place, administered by the Health and Safety Executive, the respective environmental agencies, the planning authorities and my Department, to ensure that all potential risks to safety or the environment are properly managed. Onshore gas exploration has a long history in the UK and the technologies employed—including hydraulic fracturing (fracking)—are well understood. Fracking is already subject to the same regulatory and environmental requirements as any other onshore drilling activity and I therefore have no current plans to introduce regulatory guidelines.

Renewable Energy: Research

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent on renewable energy research and development by (a) the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment and (b) the UK Energy Research Centre since May 2010.

Gregory Barker: In financial year 2010-11 the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment (ORED) spent £3,389,370 on renewable energy research and development (including the National Non Food Crops Centre). In the current financial year to date (April 2011 to August 2011) ORED spent £370,738 (including NNFCC).
	The Department for Business Innovation and Skills is responsible for spending by the UK Energy Research Council on its renewable energy research and development.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects on operations in Afghanistan of the UK's participation in military action in Libya; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Fox: We are committed to success in Afghanistan, which continues to be our main effort. As part of normal Defence business, an effective balance of resources is maintained to ensure that we continue to meet operational commitments in Afghanistan and in Libya. We will continue to keep our requirements under review taking military advice, including advice from our Commanders on the ground, so that our armed forces receive the support they need for the vital work they are undertaking.

Armed Forces

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the (a) increase in provision of services which would be required and (b) cost to the public purse of implementing the Army's policy that personnel and their families should integrate as fully as possible into the local communities in which they are based.

Nick Harvey: Comprehensive planning work is now under way to draw up plans for the timing and sequencing of the Army moves. While our plans will continue to be driven by the military requirement, we will aim, where possible, to base Army personnel close to a number of units, to enable them to change post while providing greater family stability and be close enough to urban areas to allow their families to have easier access to jobs, schools, housing and other facilities.
	This detailed planning work will involve engagement with partners such as the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council and Other Government Departments and agencies. It is therefore too early to confirm further details on the exact requirements and their costs.

Armed Forces: Housing

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the married quarters accommodation associated with Redford and Dreghorn Barracks will be used during any interval between the relocation of military personnel and their families from Redford and Dreghorn and the opening of the new barracks in Kirknewton.

Andrew Robathan: The requirement for service family accommodation (SFA) is kept under constant review. It is assumed that there will be a continual requirement for SFA in the Edinburgh area from entitled service personnel and their families.

Army

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the final cost was of moving the Army's Northern headquarters from York to Edinburgh.

Andrew Robathan: This information is not held in the format requested.

Departmental Manpower

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's civilian staff were (a) working and (b) based in Wales in (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The headcount and Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) strength of Ministry of Defence civilian personnel working in Wales are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Headcount FTE 
			 April 2008 2,210 2,170 
			 April 2009 2,050 2,010 
			 April 2010 2,020 1,970 
			 April 2011 1,810 1,760 
			 Source: DASA (Quad-Service)

Departmental Pay

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Ministerial salary was of each Minister in his Department in (a) January 2009, (b) January 2010 and (c) 1 May 2010.

Liam Fox: holding answer 8 September 2011
	Salaries paid to Ministers in the Ministry of Defence for the periods requested are as follows:
	
		
			 Ministers and position Salary at 1 January 2009 (£) Salary at 1 January 2010 (£) Salary at 1 May 2010 (£) 
			 Secretary of State    
			 right hon. John Hutton MP 78,356 — — 
			 Appointed 4 October 2008    
			 Resigned 5 June 2009    
			     
			 Secretary of State    
			 right hon. Bob Ainsworth MP — 78,356 78,356 
			 Appointed 6 June 2009    
			     
			 Minister of State    
			 right hon. Bob Ainsworth MP 40,646 — — 
			 To 5 June 2009    
			     
			 Minister of State    
			 Bill Rammell MP — 40,646 40,646 
			 Appointed 8 June 2009    
			     
			 Minister of State    
			 right hon. Lord Drayson Unpaid Unpaid Unpaid 
			     
			 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State    
			 right hon. Baroness Taylor of Bolton 72,326 72,326 72,326 
			     
			 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Stale    
			 Kevan Jones MP Unpaid 30,851 30,851 
			 Unpaid to 8 June 2009    
		
	
	
		
			 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State    
			 Quentin Davies MP Unpaid Unpaid Unpaid

Libya: Armed Conflict

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on (a) the types of weapons used by other NATO nations against targets in Libya and (b) the proportion of total weapons used represented by each type.

Nick Harvey: The UK does not comment on the operational details of allied nations' operations, which are a matter for the governments concerned.

Libya: Security

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support he plans to give to the National Transitional Council to support security sector reform in Libya.

Liam Fox: The United Nations leads on co-ordinating the international community's response to the post-conflict needs of Libya. If the National Transitional Council submits a formal request for assistance, the UK will work closely with international partners and donors to help meet the needs of the Libyan people.

Military Bases

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where he expects (a) the army bomb disposal unit and (b) other units based at Craigiehall, other than the 2nd Division headquarters, to be based after the closure of Craigiehall and before any new facilities are completed.

Nick Harvey: The announcement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July 2011, Official Report, columns 643-45, set out the strategic long-term direction on the structure of the Army and its basing requirements across the United Kingdom. The announcement also confirmed the Secretary of State's aim to make the most efficient use of the Defence estate by vacating and disposing of Craigiehall by 2014-15.
	Comprehensive planning work is now under way to understand the impact on Army bomb disposal and other units based at Craigiehall and to draw up plans for their re-provision.
	Until this work is complete and further detail is known about the size and type of units that will be required to support the future Army lay down in Scotland, it is too soon to confirm the future locations of units currently based at Craigiehall.

Military Bases: Kirknewton

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding he expects to allocate under each budget heading to the new army base at Kirknewton.

Nick Harvey: Comprehensive planning work is now under way to draw up plans for the timing and sequencing of the Army moves.
	Until this work is complete and further detail is known about the size and type of units that will move to Kirknewton, it is not possible to confirm budgetary requirements or allocations.

Navy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department has given to the Royal Navy Philatelic Society in each of the last five years.

Andrew Robathan: The Royal Navy Philatelic Society is an independently managed private fund. It has been closely associated with the Royal Navy by the nature of its role of promoting the philatelic hobby amongst Naval Service personnel, although not exclusively so. No Ministry of Defence support is given for the maintenance and regulation of the society.

Olympic Games 2012

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's planned role is in the London 2012 Olympics.

Nick Harvey: The Government are committed to delivering a safe and secure 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for all, in keeping with the Olympic culture and spirit.
	The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has overall responsibility for the conduct of the Games. The Secretary of State for the Home Department has overall responsibility for the security arrangements. The Ministry of Defence expects that it may provide other Government Departments with some specialist support and capabilities in niche areas. Although at a mature state of planning, the extent of that support is yet to be finalised.

RAF Kirknewton

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the results were of the ecological survey commissioned by his Department one year after the diesel leakage at RAF Kirknewton; and if he will place in the Library a copy of these results;
	(2)  whether a risk assessment has been carried out on the potential for damage to oil tanks buried under Kirknewton, West Lothian, by the construction of a super-barracks on the site;
	(3)  what the total cost was of (a) repairing the underground fuel tanks and (b) cleaning the surrounding area after the diesel leak at RAF Kirknewton in March 2010;
	(4)  what costs are likely to be incurred in building the new barracks at Kirknewton, West Lothian, as a result of the presence of two redundant fuel tanks under the airfield; and for what purposes.

Andrew Robathan: A copy of the ecological survey report will be placed in the Library of the House. The surveys concluded that no remedial measures are recommended as the Green Burn is recovering and there is no discernable impact further downstream or along the Goger Burn. A further survey is to be undertaken in 2012 to confirm that water quality has returned to normal and re-colonisation is complete.
	The total costs arising from the removal of tanks and remediation of the surrounding ground following the pollution incident in March 2010 comprised of:
	£105,274.09 to investigate and delineate the pollution and remove residual hydrocarbons from the drainage system;
	£46,159 to remove the two leaking tanks, excavate and dispose of hydrocarbon contaminated soil and reinstate the ground; and
	£17,554.96 to make adjustments to the drainage system.
	It is too early at this time to confirm further details of any costs that may be incurred at Kirknewton, including those costs associated with the presence of any remaining redundant fuel tanks, infrastructure and the carrying out of risk assessments. Kirknewton is however scheduled for inclusion within the Ministry of Defence's Land Quality Assessment programme for the current financial year.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Anti-Slavery Day 2011

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government is taking to mark Anti-Slavery Day 2011.

Damian Green: The Government are currently developing their plans for the day and will announce them in due course.

Departmental Manpower

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in the UK Border Agency (a) were working at each grade on 1 September 2011 and (b) are expected to be working at each grade on 1 September 2012.

Damian Green: The information for 31 August 2011—the most recent available—is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Grade equivalent Total  (1) 
			 Administrative Assistant 1,315 
			 Administrative Officer 4,344 
			 Assistant Immigration Officer(2) 643 
			 Executive Officer 3,477 
			 Immigration Officer(2) 5,321 
			 Higher Executive Officer 2,037 
			 Chief Immigration Officer(2) 976 
			 Senior Executive Officer 1,158 
			 HM Inspector of Immigration(2) 223 
			 Grade 7 551 
			 Grade 6 179 
		
	
	
		
			 Senior Civil Servant 67 
			 Grade unrecorded centrally 79 
			 Locally engaged staff abroad (estimate) 1,268 
			 Temporary staff abroad (estimate) 121 
			 Inward seconded police (estimate) 157 
			 Workforce 21,917 
			 (1) Figures are provided as at 31 August, the most recent download from the UK Border Agency central personnel system. Staff working abroad have been included on an estimated basis from July staffing material and other sources.. (2) Immigration Service grade equivalents given here, include comparable staff on former HM Revenue and Customs grades. Notes: 1. Locally engaged staff abroad etc. are included on the most recent reported basis (July 2011). 2. Work force excludes staff on special leave, career break and unpaid maternity leave. Because of the inclusion of figures for July, the total figure is an estimate of the end August position. 
		
	
	The UK Border Agency is expected to reduce work force over the spending review period. By 31 March 2015 we expect there to be around 18,000 staff working for the agency. This means a reduction of around 5,200 posts from 31 March 2011.
	A detailed breakdown of staff numbers month by month is not available.

Departmental Manpower

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value was of payments made by her Department and its agencies to external IT contractors in each year since 2009.

Damian Green: The Home Department, inclusive of its Executive agencies, has published its expenditure with external IT contractors in its annual report and accounts for the period requested.

Departmental Training

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on training for Ministers since 12 May 2010.

Damian Green: holding answer 19 July 2011
	All ministerial training is funded through the National School of Government's Core Learning Programme which delivers induction and other training to Ministers. This is funded through a Government-wide centralised budget, to which the Home Office contributes.

Entry Clearances: Married People

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many spousal visa applications have been rejected since 6 April 2011 on the basis of not meeting English language requirements.

Damian Green: The number of spousal visa applications refused between 6 April 2011 and 30 June 2011 on the basis of not meeting the English language requirement is 55.
	A monthly breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			 Month Number refused 
			 From 6 April 2011 13 
			 May 2011 24 
			 June 2011 18 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 55 
		
	
	These data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change.

European Court of Human Rights

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she (a) has had and (b) plans to have with the European Court of Human Rights on proposed changes to the family migration route in the UK.

Damian Green: I have had no discussions with the European Court of Human Rights on proposed changes to the family migration route, and no such discussions are planned.

Extradition

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extradition facilities the United Kingdom has with Qatar.

Damian Green: There are currently no general extradition relations between the UK and Qatar, although this does not preclude the possibility of extradition.
	The UK can also have extradition relations with parties to international conventions relating to specific very serious crimes, of which the UK is also a signatory. This is provided for within section 193 of the Extradition Act 2003. The UK and Qatar are signatories to a number of such conventions. Section 194 of the Extradition Act 2003 makes provision for the UK to consider extradition requests made to it by a territory with which no general extradition arrangements are in place.

Female Genital Mutilation

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on returning girls to countries which are known to practise female genital mutilation.

Damian Green: All asylum applications, including those which raise female genital mutilation, are carefully considered by the UK Border Agency on their individual merits, taking into consideration up to date country information.
	Asylum or Humanitarian protection will be granted where it is established that an individual adult or child faces a real risk of Female Genital Mutilation in her own country. This will only apply in cases where the country's authorities cannot provide protection, and where there is no reasonable possibility of moving elsewhere in the country to avoid the threat.
	The UK Border Agency only enforces the return of those nationals who it is satisfied are not in need of international protection, and it does not seek to enforce returns to any country unless it and the UK Courts are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

Highly Trusted Status

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many higher education institutions in Scotland have applied for Highly Trusted Status; when each institution applied; and when each institution was informed of the results of its application.

Damian Green: As at 5 September 2011, 16 higher education institutions in Scotland had applied for Highly Trusted Sponsor Status. Information on the dates of application and decision for these institutions is as follows:
	
		
			 Sponsor Date of application Date notified of decision 
			 1 30 June 2010 28 September 2010 
			 2 28 June 2010 23 September 2010 
			 3 29 June 2010 1 September 2010 
			 4 30 June 2010 26 November 2010 
			 5 21 June 2010 22 September 2010 
			 6 1 July 2010 3 September 2010 
			 7 29 June 2010 3 August 2010 
			 8 30 June 2010 24 December 2010 
			 9 30 June 2010 20 September 2010 
			 10 28 June 2010 22 September 2010 
			 11 30 June 2010 20 September 2010 
			 12 18 June 2010 27 September 2010 
			 13 13 August 2010 24 September 2010 
			 14 30 June 2010 14 September 2010 
			 15 25 June 2010 26 August 2010 
			 16 28 June 2010 8 September 2010 
		
	
	The figure provided is based on local statistical information and is not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics. They are provisional and subject to change.

Human Rights

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received from human rights organisations concerning Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Damian Green: The Government are currently consulting on family migration, and the consultation discusses the operation of Article 8 and immigration control. The consultation runs until 6 October, and a list of contributors will be published thereafter.

Human Trafficking

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government is taking to reduce the difference between the estimated number of victims of human trafficking in the UK and the number of potential victims of human trafficking identified by the National Referral Mechanism.

Damian Green: Trafficking is by its nature a hidden crime and therefore it is difficult to get a full picture of the numbers involved. Entry to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is voluntary so we cannot force those we suspect of being victims to participate against their will. But we are committed to bringing as many victims as possible into the NRM. To do this we continue to raise awareness of trafficking with frontline partners such as the police, local authorities and health service and have recently increased the number of voluntary sector partners who are able to make direct referrals into the NRM. Working in partnership with the UK Border Agency's audit team and the Strategic Monitoring Group, who are responsible for overseeing the functioning of the NRM, we are also enhancing the way we identify victims of trafficking from those who are referred to us. Details of the steps we are taking can be found in the Government's Human Trafficking Strategy, published on 19 July 2011:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/human-trafficking-strategy

Identity and Passport Service: Redundancy

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what redundancy notice employees of the Identity and Passport Service aged over 60 years are entitled to; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: holding answer 9 September 2011
	All redundancy notice periods are made in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Management Code and Civil Service Compensation Scheme.

Immigration

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the change in the level of net migration arising from the proposed changes to the family migration route over the next five years.

Damian Green: The impact on net migration of the proposed changes to the family route will be set out in the impact assessment which will be published when final changes are announced following the current consultation. These will take into account advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee on where the income threshold should be set.

Neil Wallis

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) she, (b) her private office staff, (c) her special advisers and (d) press officers in her Department had (i) telephone and (ii) email contact with Neil Wallis in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011.

Damian Green: holding answer 5 September 2011
	There was no communication between the Home Secretary or her special advisers and Neil Wallis in either 2010 or 2011.
	No central records are held regarding communication with departmental officials and external organisations, so retrieving this information would be at disproportionate cost.

Neil Wallis

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communications (a) she, (b) other Ministers in her Department, (c) officials in her private office and (d) (i) press officers, (ii) other officials and (iii) special advisers of her Department have had by (A) e-mail, (B) meeting, (C) telephone call and (D) letter with Neil Wallis since her appointment; and on what dates.

Damian Green: No meetings or other types of communication have taken place between the Home Secretary, other Ministers or the special advisers and Neil Wallis.
	Records relating to e-mail, meetings, telephone conversations, letters between departmental officials and external organisations are not held centrally and to collate such information would incur disproportionate cost.

Overseas Workers

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to prevent trafficking of people following the abolition of the overseas domestic services visa; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: Details of the steps the Government are taking to prevent the trafficking of people can be found in its Human Trafficking Strategy, published on 19 July 2011:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/human-trafficking-strategy
	The Government's consultation, Employment-Related Settlement, Tier 5 and Overseas Domestic Workers, published on 9 June, is open for comment until 9 September. Its proposals on overseas domestic workers include the possible abolition of the route for domestic workers who work in the private household of their employer in the UK. No decision has been made on abolition. We will consider future policy on overseas domestic workers in the light of responses to the consultation.

Overseas Workers

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether doctors working on Tier 2 visas will be exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test at further points when they have to apply for higher specialist training.

Damian Green: Doctors who have begun Speciality Training in the UK under Tier 2 are currently exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test when they apply to continue that training. We have no plans to change this.

Overseas Workers

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to decide whether doctors who are non-EEA nationals who have trained in the UK will continue to be exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test in light of changes to Tier 2 and Tier 4 visas.

Damian Green: We have no plans to remove any Resident Labour Market Test exemptions in relation to doctors who have trained in the UK.

Visas

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals for (a) Tier 1 and (b) Tier 2 visa applications have (i) been upheld and (ii) not been successful in the last 12 months for which information is available.

Damian Green: Outside the UK, a refusal of entry clearance to a main applicant under all tiers of the points based system (PBS) does not attract a full right of appeal. Main applicants can appeal only on one or more of the following grounds:
	that the decision is unlawful by virtue of Section 19B of the Race Relations Act 1976 (c.74) (discrimination by public authorities), and/or
	that the decision is unlawful under Section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (c.42) (public authority not to act contrary to Human Rights Convention) as being incompatible with the appellant's convention rights.
	PBS main applicants can apply for an administrative review, which is a mechanism for reviewing refusal decisions.
	PBS dependants who are refused do have full right of appeal. The following figures cover such appeals and the period August 2010 to July 2011
	
		
			  Appeals 
			 Tier 1 appeals upheld 430 
			 Tier 1 appeals dismissed 285 
			 Tier 2 appeals upheld 177 
			 Tier 2 appeals dismissed 136 
		
	
	As there is no full right of appeal for PBS main applicants, the above numbers are mainly for PBS dependants.
	In addition to the above there have been the following administrative reviews processed during this period:
	Tier 1: 1,743
	Tier 2: 733.

Visas

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will work with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to assess the potential effects of changes to Tier 1 and 2 visas on (a) levels of skill shortage and (b) the UK economy.

Damian Green: The Home Office and UK Border Agency work closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and other interested Departments on all significant changes to economic migration policy. The Migration Advisory Committee also considered the input of a limit in its report last year.

Visas: Appeals

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to simplify the visa appeals process.

Damian Green: The Government are currently consulting on the circumstances in which a family visit visa appeal should be retained and is inviting suggestions as to how the family visit visa application form and process can be improved in order to reduce the number of appeals. The consultation can be found at:
	www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/consultations
	In the interim, we are taking steps to simplify the visa appeal process by introducing a single point of lodgement for visa appeals alongside the introduction of appeal fees. The change, which will result in all appeals being lodged at the tribunal, will remove the risk of duplication and delay in the system.

TREASURY

Bank Services: Disclosure of Information

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect on tax (a) evasion and (b) avoidance of granting HM Revenue and Customs access to information on UK registered companies’ bank accounts.

Mark Hoban: No separate assessment has been made by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the exchequer benefit relating to (a) evasion or (b) avoidance arising from access to data on the existence or status of bank accounts alone.
	HMRC uses a range of information as part of its work to address tax compliance risks.
	Where it is considered necessary to check a company’s tax position HMRC may obtain information either from the taxpayer directly or, subject to greater safeguards, from a third party. This can include copies of banking and financial transactions from financial institutions.

Bank Services: Disclosure of Information

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on granting HM Revenue and Customs access to data on the (a) existence and (b) status of UK registered companies' bank accounts.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is granted access to data about UK company bank accounts under existing legislation. Firstly, HMRC receive an annual report from every UK bank and any foreign bank which operates in the UK. The bank must report details of the interest paid on company accounts open during that year for any company which has a UK address.
	Secondly, HMRC may approach banks for information which is required to check a person's tax position. This includes details of bank accounts held by UK companies and may include any information in the bank's power or possession relating to open, or closed accounts, which may be reasonably required during an ongoing HMRC check or where there is a risk of serious prejudice to the assessment or collection of tax. HMRC has given a commitment that it will only issue a written notice requesting this information where approval has been given by the First Tier Tribunal.

Banks: Fraud

Richard Fuller: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior banking executives and directors have been investigated by (a) the Financial Services Authority and (b) the police for submitting fraudulent expenses in each of the last five years.

Mark Hoban: The Financial Services Authority is not a fraud prosecutor; therefore the investigation of matters such as fraudulent expenses falls primarily to other enforcement agencies such as the police or the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). However, if the police or the SFO, or the FSA in the course of carrying out its regulated activities, found that a person who held an FSA controlled function had submitted a fraudulent expenses claim, the FSA would consider the matter in the light of the fit and proper criteria for approved persons and take appropriate action, which could include investigation and disciplinary action such as a financial penalty or prohibition.
	The Home Office is responsible for collecting data on police recorded crime. However, information on the number of senior banking executives and directors that have been investigated by the police for submitting fraudulent expenses is not collected centrally.

Banks: Regulation

Jonathan Evans: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to support improved, more standardised and more regular reporting of financial data by banks; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The Government is making strong efforts both domestically and internationally to enhance transparency and disclosure.
	Banks' financial statements must show a true and fair view; as part of this, the financial statements of listed banks must be prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Improvements to standards governing valuation of financial instruments and off-balance sheet arrangements have been adopted and further enhancements to valuation and impairment standards are in progress.
	The Basel Committee has put in place improvements to the Pillar 3 disclosures covering capital and risk management. These have been implemented in the UK through FSA rules.
	The Government encourages transparent disclosures and is taking a number of actions with regards to the reporting of data by banks, as part of wider EU initiatives, including:
	enhanced sovereign disclosures in the latest European Banking Authority (EBA) stress tests that provide greater transparency to market participants; and proposals for Capital Requirements legislation (CRD4), the European implementation of Basel 3, to require banks to publish their leverage ratio and information on liquidity from 2015.
	Finally, the Government endorses the interim Financial Policy Committee (FPC) recommendation, made at the FPC meeting on 16 June 2011, for the FSA to “ensure that improved disclosure of sovereign and banking sector exposures by major UK banks becomes a permanent part of their reporting framework, and to work with the FPC to consider further extensions of disclosure in the future”.

Child Tax Credit

William Bain: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on levels of child poverty attributable to the changes in payment rate for the childcare element of the child tax credit applicable from the 2011-12 financial year in each of the next four financial years.

David Gauke: It is the impact of the tax and benefit system as a whole that is important for child poverty.
	The Government increased the child element of the Child Tax Credit by £180 above indexation in April 2011 and will increase it by £110 above indexation in April 2012. As a result, modelled tax and benefit reforms announced since Budget 2010 may have a-small reduction in child poverty in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
	Parents currently receive support to pay for childcare through the childcare element of Working Tax Credit. In addition, the Government maintained free early learning for 3 and 4 year olds, and extended 15 hours a week of free early education and care to all disadvantaged 2 year olds from 2012-13.
	The new Universal Credit will replace the current complex system of means-tested working age benefits with an integrated payment over the next two Parliaments, reducing fraud and error and ensuring that work pays.
	The Government is working with key stakeholders, drawing on their expertise, to establish which options will best support parents to meet the costs of childcare in the future within or alongside Universal Credit. Details of the new proposal will be set out shortly.

Child Tax Credit

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the changes in income in each decile of the population attributable to the changes in payment rate of the child care element of child tax credit in (a) each constituency, (b) each local authority area, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales, (e) England, (f) Northern Ireland and (g) the United Kingdom in (i) the 2011-12 financial year and (ii) each of the next four financial years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the average change in income attributable to the changes in payment rate of the child care element of child tax credit in each (a) constituency and (b) local authority area in (i) the 2011-12 financial year and (ii) each of the next four financial years.

David Gauke: It is the impact of the tax and benefit system as a whole that is important for households. At the June Budget 2010, Spending Review 2011, and most recently Budget 2011, this Government have published detailed distributional analysis of the impacts of its decisions (see for example charts A.2 and A.3 in Annex A of Budget 2011).
	This analysis shows that, when looking at the cumulative impact of reforms introduced by this Government, it is clear that the top decile contributes the most to the fiscal consolidation, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of net income.
	This analysis is at a UK level. It is not possible to provide the estimates requested at the other disaggregations asked for as these do not provide sufficiently robust results.
	Looking at the impact of tax credit changes in 2011-12 would only show a partial effect as it is only in 2012-13 that they are fully implemented. Also, presenting analyses of tax, tax credit and benefit changes further into the future may not be representative of the impact of Government policy. In addition there is greater uncertainty associated with longer term economic forecasts which underpin the modelling.

Child Tax Credit

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many recipients of the child care element of child tax credit there were in each (a) constituency and (b) local authority area in each of the last five financial years.

David Gauke: Information on the number of recipients of the child care element of working tax credit by constituency and local authority area can be found in tables 2 and 3 of the annual HMRC publication "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics: Finalised Annual Awards—Geographical Analysis". Publications covering the last five financial years are available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/final-award-geog.htm

Corporation Tax: Credit Unions

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the current law on corporation tax as it applies to credit unions.

David Gauke: The Government keep all taxes under review.
	The Government have committed to foster diversity, promote mutuals and create a more competitive banking industry, as set out in the Coalition's programme for government.
	On 3 March the Department for Work and Pensions announced a £73 million modernisation fund to help credit unions expand their services. This is subject to a feasibility study which closes in September. An update can be found at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/other-specialists/the-growth-fund/latest-news/
	On 12 April the Treasury made the Mutual Societies (Electronic Communications) Order 2011. This allows credit unions and other mutuals to communicate with their members electronically.
	I am also pleased to inform you that on Tuesday 19 July the draft Legislative Reform (Industrial and Provident Societies and Credit Unions) Order 2011 was laid in Parliament for its final period of scrutiny. It will present many opportunities for credit unions to develop their services and expand their membership. For example, the changes in membership rules will allow for recruitment of members in new areas and for partnerships and companies to become members and invest in their local credit union.

Debit Cards: Fees and Charges

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department expects to respond to the recommendations of the Office of Fair Trading on debit card surcharges.

Mark Hoban: The Government are considering the OFT's recommendations and will respond in due course.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons resident in West Worcestershire constituency have (a) made claims and (b) received payment under the Equitable Life Compensation Scheme in each month since the scheme began.

Mark Hoban: The Scheme does not require policyholders to make a claim for payment. The Scheme will directly contact eligible policyholders in accordance with the prioritisation criteria set out in the Scheme rules, available at:
	http://equitablelifepaymentscheme.independent.gov.uk/resources/elps_main_doc_final.htm.
	Payments began on the 30 June, and hundreds of payments have been made to date. Payment volumes will continue to be ramped up over the coming months as the Scheme's complex payment processes are refined further. The scheme does not hold a breakdown of eligible policyholders by constituency.

Financial Policy Committee

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria were used in determining the appointment of members of the interim Financial Policy Committee; and what discussions there were on the criteria of the appointment of members of the Interim Financial Policy Committee prior to those appointments being made.

Mark Hoban: holding answer 7 September 2011
	The four independent members of the interim Financial Policy Committee were appointed by the Chancellor, in consultation with the Governor of the Bank of England. The Committee's membership brings an appropriate balance of expertise and experience across the range of the issues within the Committee's remit.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Stephen Hammond: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people (a) have been and (b) are expected to be taken out of income tax bands during the Comprehensive Spending Review period.

Mark Hoban: The Government's objective is to support lower and middle income earners by raising the personal allowance to £10,000, with real terms progress towards that goal every year.
	The June 2010 Budget announced a £1,000 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £7,475 in 2011-12 (£820 above the previous Government's plans), with the benefits focussed on individuals on low and middle incomes through accompanying changes to the basic rate limit and National Insurance Upper Earnings and Profit Limits.
	As a result of this measure, the Government estimates that 830,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether in 2011-12.
	The 2011 Budget announced a £630 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £8,105 in 2012-13 (£240 above indexation), with an equivalent reduction in the basic rate limit to leave the higher rate threshold unchanged.
	As a result of this measure, the Government estimates that 260,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether in 2012-13.
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.

Inward Investment

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage global business to invest in the UK.

Mark Hoban: The Treasury contributed to the development of policy actions for trade and inward investment within the Plan for Growth, published in March 2011. This is part of the Treasury's ongoing work to support all businesses in the UK that includes creating the most competitive tax system in the G20 and making the UK one of the best places in Europe to start, finance and grow a business.

National Insurance Contributions

Natascha Engel: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses (a) in North East Derbyshire constituency, (b) in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and (c) nationally have participated in the regional employer National Insurance Contributions holiday for new businesses since it was introduced.

Mark Hoban: As of 5 September 2011, HMRC has received 8 successful applications for the NICs Holiday form businesses in North East Derbyshire constituency and 6,316 successful applications nationally.
	Information about applications is not available for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire as data is not provided on a county level.

National Insurance Contributions

Natascha Engel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to extend the national insurance contributions holiday to existing businesses with fewer than four members of staff.

David Gauke: The policy is designed to support new businesses in parts of the country that are most reliant on the public sector assisting them in their first year, reducing the costs of hiring staff and improving the likelihood of business survival.
	The Government have considered the case for extending the NICs holiday to all existing micro businesses but believes the best use of public funds at this time is to keep the NICs holiday as a targeted scheme for those areas in most need of employment support.

National Insurance Contributions: Pensioners

Penny Mordaunt: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the level of revenue which could be raised from charging National Insurance contributions on pensioners' incomes as a means of funding care services; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The Government estimates that around £500m would be raised in 2011-12 if individuals over state pension age were required to pay National Insurance contributions on employment and self-employment income.
	This estimate is based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook and includes an estimated behavioural adjustment to reflect changes in labour supply for this age group.

National Insurance Contributions: Scotland

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many successful applications for the National Insurance Holiday scheme his Department has received from businesses based in (a) Scotland, (b) the city of Glasgow and (c) each parliamentary constituency in Scotland.

Mark Hoban: As of 7 September 2011, HMRC has received 922 successful applications for the NICs holiday from businesses located in Scotland.
	Information for applications from the city of Glasgow are not available as data are not provided on this level.
	A breakdown of successful applications for the NICs holiday by constituency will be published in the House of Commons Library in the autumn. This will provide figures for all Glasgow, as well as Scottish, constituencies.

Northern Rock plc

Alex Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that Northern Rock employees in the North East are retained so that Northern Rock remains a regional bank.

Mark Hoban: The Government recognises the role that Northern Rock plays as an employer and provider of financial services in the North East. Prospective acquirers for Northern Rock PLC will be asked to lay out their plans for the company's headquarters and branches and also to provide a view on the impact of their acquisition on competition.

Revenue and Customs

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reorganisations of employees and units there have been within HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) dealing with high-value taxpayers since May 2010; what estimate he has made of the change in yield received by HMRC attributable to such changes; and what the result has been in terms of the yield generated to HMRC.

Mark Hoban: The High Net Worth Unit (HNWU) was created in 2009 to deal with the personal tax affairs of about 5,000 of HMRC’s wealthiest individual customers, typically those with at least £20 million in wealth. This reorganisation was completed during early 2010-11, reflecting the experience of the operation over its first year.
	Initial projections were that HMRC could achieve compliance yield of between £50 million to £100 million per year from the HNWU, once it was fully operational. This compares with the £25 million compliance yield typically achieved from the equivalent taxpayer group by the previous organisation.
	The unit’s additional tax yield in the first year of operations (2009-10) was £85 million; in the second year (2010-11) it was £162 million.

Revenue and Customs: Finance

David Ward: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the implementation of budgetary changes in HM Revenue and Customs does not adversely affect its ability to (a) collect taxes and (b) provide customer service.

Mark Hoban: HMRC will create a tax administration that is more efficient, flexible and effective by using a customer-centric approach to transform the way it delivers services, manages contact and conducts interventions. HMRC will use its understanding of customers to target resources to the areas of greatest risk, investing £900 million to tackle avoidance and evasion, attacks by organised criminals and to improve debt collection capacity. This will bring in an estimated £7 billion a year by 2014-15 in additional revenues.
	It will transform PAYE through the use of real-time information in order to bring service improvements to employers and taxpayers.

Revenue and Customs: Manpower

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 818W, on Revenue and Customs: labour turnover, what the age profile is of officers of Revenue and Customs carrying out compliance functions.

Mark Hoban: The age profile of officers in compliance functions is shown in the following table. The data have been taken at 31 August 2011:
	
		
			 Percentage 
			  Age group 
			  <20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 >60 
			 Percentage of compliance officers 0.07 5.26 15.87 35.62 35.64 7.55

Revenue and Customs: Manpower

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 818W, on Revenue and Customs: labour turnover, how many officers of Revenue and Customs carrying out compliance functions he expects to retire in each year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Mark Hoban: At 1 April 2012 there will potentially be 9.27% of compliance officers who have exceeded or reached 60. This is based on data at 31 August 2011. As there is no longer a mandatory retirement age for the purpose of responding to this question age 60 has been used.
	There are a number of factors that affect an individual’s decision to retire so it is not possible to predict. However, based on current staff numbers those reaching 60 at each year of the comprehensive spending review period are:
	
		
			 As at 1 April each year Number Percentage 
			 2012 439 1.41 
			 2013 462 1.49 
			 2014 506 1.63 
			 2015 499 1.61

Revenue and Customs: Tyne and Wear

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on the (a) quality and (b) availability of face-to-face services provided by HM Revenue and Customs in Washington and Sunderland West constituency.

David Gauke: Like all Government Departments, HMRC must operate cost effectively within its spending review settlement. HMRC does not believe that its settlement has had any material effect on the quality or availability of its face-to-face services. Changes that have been made to the opening hours of the Department's Enquiry Centres followed a public consultation and a full equality impact assessment that predate the spending review.
	HMRC's business strategy is designed to ensure that services are tailored to the needs of its customers. The Department keeps under review the range and mix of service channels available to customers, to ensure they remain appropriate. But in line with both the spending review and the business strategy, HMRC will continue to provide face-to-face support for customers who need it—including customers in Washington and Sunderland West.

Tax Avoidance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated monetary rate was of (a) tax avoidance and (b) tax planning schemes in force in (i) 2000 and (ii) each year since 2005.

David Gauke: The latest tax gap estimates were published in September 2010 in “Measuring Tax Gaps 2010” on HMRC's website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/measuring-tax-gaps-2010.htm.pdf
	This publication also contained an illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by behaviour for 2007-08. This estimated that avoidance and legal interpretation accounted respectively for 17.5% and 15% of the total tax gap.
	HMRC do not produce an estimate of the monetary rate of tax planning schemes; unacceptable tax planning is covered by avoidance.
	HMRC will be publishing “Measuring Tax Gaps 2011” on 21 September 2011.

Tax Evasion

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on HM Revenue and Customs’ capacity to (a) prevent and (b) prosecute tax evasion.

Mark Hoban: Over the next four years HMRC will reinvest £917 million of the savings they make to maximise additional revenues, which will include putting extra resource into tackling both evasion and avoidance.
	The reinvestment will fund a range of measures including significantly increasing coverage of the mass market, tackling tax evasion, building on the existing one-to-one client relationship model for large businesses and wealthy individuals, tackling organised crime and a range of interventions designed to collect more debt.
	Specifically, HMRC will increase staff tackling evasion and fraud and avoidance by around 2,500 FTEs by 2014-15. Some 200 more criminal investigators and 40 intelligence officers will provide a significant increase in the criminal investigation of evasion cases.
	Together this should bring in around £7 billion each year by 2014-15 in additional revenues.

Tax Evasion

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of tax evasion in the last year for which figures are available.

David Gauke: The latest tax gap estimates were published in September 2010 in “Measuring Tax Gaps 2010” on HMRC's website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/measuring-tax-gaps-2010.htm.pdf
	This publication also contained an illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by behaviour for 2007-08. This estimated that evasion accounted for around 17.5% of the total tax gap, equating to approximately £7 billion.
	HMRC will be publishing "Measuring Tax Gaps 2011" on 21 September 2011.

Tax Evasion

Stephen Hammond: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding HM Revenue and Customs allocated to measures to tackle tax evasion in each year since 2005.

David Gauke: It is not possible to provide an answer to the question in the format requested as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) do not allocate on this basis. Overall funding for HMRC's compliance activity cannot be broken down in this way as its activity - from policy making, through support and education, to audits and investigations - covers all aspects of compliance behaviour from error through to evasion as well as countering criminal attacks and avoidance.

VAT: Fuel

Tessa Munt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to give tax relief on VAT on fuel to (a) Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and (b) other charities.

Mark Hoban: There is no option to extend VAT relief on fuel to charities that carry out other charitable activities. EU VAT agreements, entered into by successive Governments, do not allow the UK, or any other Member State, to unilaterally extend the scope of existing zero rates, or introduce new ones. However, the Government gives very generous support through tax reliefs to the charitable sector. These reliefs allow charities to purchase medicines, medical equipment and certain other specialised equipment, and charities which provide rescue or assistance at sea to purchase fuel, VAT-free.

VAT: Golf

Steve Brine: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect on competition between proprietary and members' golf clubs of the VAT rating applicable to proprietary golf club membership fees.

Mark Hoban: No assessment has been made. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6 September 2011, Official Report, column 402W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey ( Gordon Henderson).

VAT: Registration and Tax Yields

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much revenue was raised from VAT receipts in (a) 2000 and (b) each year since 2005;
	(2)  how many companies were registered liable to pay VAT in (a) 2000 and (b) each year since 2005;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of businesses who are not registered for VAT;
	(4)  what recent estimate he has made of the increase in VAT receipts arising from the increase in the rate of VAT.

David Gauke: Information on VAT receipts and VAT registered traders are available in the VAT Bulletin
	https://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bullvat
	No estimate has been made of the number of businesses that are not registered for VAT.
	The Exchequer yield from the increase in the standard rate of VAT to 20% was published in the June 2010 Budget
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/junebudget_costings.htm

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Procurement

Owen Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Buying Solutions suppliers are (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) large companies based in (i) Wales, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Northern Ireland, (iv) London and the Home Counties, (v) East Anglia and Lincolnshire, (vi) the Midlands, (vii) the North West including Merseyside and Lancashire and (viii) the North East.

Francis Maude: Breakdown of suppliers on Government Procurement Service frameworks 2010-11 is in the table:
	
		
			 Region SME suppliers Large suppliers Unknown status Total 
			 Wales 11 8 2 21 
			 Scotland 7 9 1 17 
			 Northern Island 11 8 3 22 
			 London and the home counties 367 343 30 740 
			 East Anglia including Lincolnshire 18 12 0 30 
			 Midlands 117 104 7 228 
			 North West including Merseyside and Lancashire 64 57 8 129 
			 North East 62 40 4 106 
			 National/no region specified 63 39 37 139 
			 Total 720 620 92 1,432

Departmental Work Experience

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) persons undertaking unpaid work experience, (b) unpaid interns and (c) other persons in unpaid positions were working in the Prime Minister's Office as of 1 July 2011.

Francis Maude: As of 1 July 2011 the Prime Ministers office and Deputy Prime Minister's office had no individuals undertaking unpaid work experience or any unpaid interns, or individuals in unpaid positions in either office. However, there were 16 individuals on paid placements within the entire Cabinet Office, including the Prime Minister's and Deputy Prime Minister's offices, on either apprenticeships or graduate internships.
	The Social Mobility Strategy, published in April 2011, clearly states that we want to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to fulfil their potential. Making work experience and internships available to young people from all walks of life is a key element of this. I am pleased that the Government are leading by example in Whitehall with a new internship programme for under-represented groups. The new Whitehall Internship Scheme has been developed in response to a pledge in the coalition agreement which states that the Government will provide internships in every Whitehall Department for under-represented groups, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. Government Departments began their participation in the scheme over the summer, with the Cabinet Office committed to offering 20 places by the end of the financial year.

Public Sector: Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office who the members are of his Department's SME Panel.

Francis Maude: The 25 members of the SME Panel are drawn from SMEs who represent a cross section of regions and industry sectors.

Public Sector: Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  on how many occasions he has met the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Crown Representative;
	(2)  when he last met the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Crown Representative;
	(3)  when he next plans to meet the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Crown Representative.

Francis Maude: I meet the Crown Representative for small and medium-sized enterprises frequently.

Royalties

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the cost to industry of offering software and technology products to government on a royalty free basis.

Francis Maude: Government have no intention of demanding the intellectual property for all ICT solutions it specifies. The proper place for discussion of these rights is during contract negotiation.
	The current policy states that intellectual property relating to solutions provided by the private sector for public sector contracts should remain with the party best placed to exploit them. This ensures that, wherever sensible, business can retain their IP to use with other clients and internationally.
	As outlined in the Government ICT Strategy(1), published in March 2011, the Government is committed to creating a level playing field for open source software for Government ICT procurement. We recognise that open source solutions present significant opportunities for improved value for money and the stimulation of a more competitive ICT environment. We are therefore taking positive action to encourage the use of open source in departments, where cost is equal to, or less than, the lifetime costs of proprietary software.
	The Government will publish guidance on intellectual property related to public procurement later this year, to raise awareness in the public sector and industry.
	(1) Available online at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/uk-government-government-ict-strategy_0.pdf

Royalties

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations he has received from industry on procurement policy Action Note 3/11.

Francis Maude: Cabinet Office has met with representatives and members of Open Forum Europe, Intellect and the Business Software Alliance to discuss Action Note 3/11. In addition, written correspondence has been received from several individual suppliers.
	The UK Government Open Standards Survey included an opportunity to provide feedback on the criteria which define an open standard, which is included in Acton Note 3/11—over 400 contributions were received. These are currently being considered with a Government response is due in October.

Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling stock

Margaret Beckett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what (a) instructions and (b) advice was given by his Department to the Department for Transport on the conduct of the procurement for the Thameslink rolling stock contract

Francis Maude: Unless asked to do so, the Cabinet Office does not give instructions or guidance on specific procurement projects, which remain the responsibility of the sponsoring Department.

Unemployment

Julie Elliott: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2011, Official Report, column 1337W, on unemployment, how many children in (a) the City of Sunderland and (b) the North East were living in workless households in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many children in (a) the City of Sunderland and (b) the North East were living in workless households in the latest period for which figures are available. (68909)
	The figures requested come from the Annual Population Survey (APS) household dataset. The latest data currently available is for 2009. The table shows estimates for Sunderland and the North East. Further information can be found at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lmac/workless-households-for-regions-across-the-uk/2010/rft-table-c-children-areas.xls
	The Labour Force Survey (LFS) produces a timelier estimate of children in workless households:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lmac/working-and-workless-households/2011/table-m.xls
	However these estimates are only provided down to Regions and so estimates are not available for local authority. Therefore, in order to maintain consistency, the APS is used for alt geographical areas.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different results. These estimates are such that there is 95 per cent certainty that from all samples possible they will lie within the lower and upper bounds.
	
		
			 Table 1: Children in workless households  (1)   in Sunderland local authority and the North East 
			 Thousand 
			 January-December 2009 Estimate Lower bound  (2) Upper bound  (2) 
			 Sunderland 14 10 19 
			 North East 94 84 105 
			 (1) Households containing at least one person aged 16-64, where all individuals aged 16 or over are not in employment. (2) 95% confidence interval which means that from all samples possible there would be 95 per cent certainty that the true estimate would lie within the lower and upper bounds. Source: APS household dataset

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Local Government: Carbon Emissions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assistance he is giving to local authorities to assist them in reducing their emissions; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: This Department is working with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to develop Green Deal, which will provide the means for households and landlords, including local authorities, to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. A number of local authorities are already undertaking trailblazer retrofit projects in advance of the Green Deal and we are encouraging others to consider forming partnerships, for example, with energy providers and other private sector organisations, to deliver Green Deal in their area.
	It should also be noted that DECC are working with the Local Government Group, and directly with many local authorities, to promote Green Deal delivery and wider carbon reduction activity, particularly in the context of the Memorandum of Understanding between DECC and the Local Government Group and the development of local government's proposed new Nottingham Declaration.

Local Government: Pensions

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the opt out rates for the Local Government Pension Scheme were in each year from 2006 to 2010.

Bob Neill: The information in the form requested is not held centrally. Individual Scheme administering authorities will have details of those who have left the Scheme before their normal retirement age.

Private Rented Housing: Energy

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to improve standards of energy efficiency in the private rented sector; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: The Government will be introducing the Green Deal in late 2012 to provide the means for households and landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The Green Deal will enable energy efficiency measures to be installed at no up-front cost, through a Green Deal provider, and paid for through energy bill savings over time. The Energy Bill includes provision to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard for private rented sector housing in 2018. The Government are committed to ensuring that there are no net negative costs to landlords. The Bill also proposes a requirement for landlords to provide consent to reasonable requests from tenants for energy efficiency improvements, in 2016.

Trade Unions: Subscriptions

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which of the trade unions recognised by (a) his Department and (b) its public bodies charge a political levy on staff trade union subscription fees; whether the political levy may be deducted at payroll level; and what the policy of his Department and each public body is on informing staff joining such unions of the right to opt out of payment of the political levy.

Bob Neill: The following table sets out the trade union recognised by the main Department and the 10 sponsored bodies that have collective bargaining agreements:
	
		
			 Organisation Trade Union(s) 
			 DCLG (Main Department) Prospect, PCS and FDA 
			 Planning Inspectorate (PINS) Prospect, PCS and FDA 
			 QE11 Conference Centre (QE11 CC) PCS 
			 The Audit Commission Prospect 
			 Fire Service College (FSC) Prospect and GMB 
			 Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) PCS, UNISON and Unite 
			 Independent Housing Ombudsman Ltd (IHOL) Unite 
			 Tenant Services Authority (TSA) Unite 
			 Valuation Tribunal Service (VTS) UNISON 
			 Standards for England (SFE) PCS 
			 Ordnance Survey Prospect and PCS 
		
	
	With the exception of Valuation Tribunal Service and Ordnance Survey all the organisations shown offer the facility to deduct subscription fees through payroll if requested.
	Notwithstanding, given departmental resources are used to facilitate the payment of union subscriptions including the political levy, direct from the DCLG payroll (under so-called ‘check off’ arrangements), I appreciate there is a broader public interest in scrutinising this matter.
	In that context, as an illustration, I observe that PCS campaigning leaflets, handed out within my Department, do not inform DCLG staff members of their statutory right to opt-out of the political levy when they join, and they correspondingly are signed up to have their union membership fee deducted direct from their DCLG pay packet.
	Such a collection of the political levy is clearly not a transparent practice. The consideration of the right to opt-out cannot be an informed choice or decision if individuals are simply not informed of that right.
	I am depositing in the Library of the House a typical membership form/campaigning leaflet that has been distributed inside my Department to inform hon. Members of these practices.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Boundary Commission for Wales: Public Appointments

Guto Bebb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to announce the appointment of commissioners to the Boundary Commission for Wales.

Mark Harper: The Government have begun the process to appoint new Commissioners to the Boundary Commission for Wales, following the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. I expect the appointments to be made in October 2011.

Departmental Work Experience

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) persons undertaking unpaid work experience, (b) unpaid interns and (c) other persons in unpaid positions were working in his office as of 1 July 2011.

Francis Maude: I have been asked to reply.
	As of 1 July 2011 the Prime Minister's office and Deputy Prime Minister's office had no individuals undertaking unpaid work experience or any unpaid interns, or individuals in unpaid positions in either office. However, there were 16 individuals on paid placements within the entire Cabinet Office, including the Prime Minister's and Deputy Prime Minister's offices, on either apprenticeships or graduate internships.
	The Social Mobility Strategy published in April.2011 clearly states that we want to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to fulfil their potential. Making work experience and internships available to young people from all walks of life is a key element of this. I am pleased that the Government are leading by example in Whitehall with a new internship programme for under-represented groups. The new Whitehall Internship Scheme has been developed in response to a pledge in the coalition agreement which states that the Government will provide internships in every Whitehall Department for under-represented groups, including black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Government Departments began their participation in the scheme over the summer, with the Cabinet Office committed to offering 20 places by the end of the financial year.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Digital Broadcasting: Television

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of households which have purchased additional equipment in order to access fully the new digital television signal in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK to date; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: The Government does not collect these statistics. The matter is primarily one for Digital UK, the independent not-for-profit company leading the implementation of switchover. Digital UK does not hold the information requested, but data from Digital UK's switchover tracker survey shows that in December 2010, five months before switchover in Glasgow, 88% of TV sets across the STV Central region were equipped to receive digital television services. Across the UK as a whole in December 2010, 83% of TV sets were equipped to receive digital television services. Statistics are not held on the reasons for making purchases of digital television equipment.

Radio Frequencies

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has assessed the potential effects on the Government's commitment to provide universal broadband coverage by 2015 if the auction of the 800MHz and 2,600MHz spectrum does not take place by mid 2012.

Edward Vaizey: holding answer 7 September 2011
	The timing of the auction is unlikely to impact on the delivery of universal broadband coverage by 2015.

Telecommunications

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the functional equivalence of Ofcom's proposal for a video relay service.

Edward Vaizey: As the Government made clear in responding to its consultation on implementing the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework—which includes measures to advance access and choice for disabled end-users—equivalence is a broad concept and not tied to any particular service. It is for the independent national regulator, Ofcom, to assess what needs to be done to advance that access and choice for disabled end-users and what obligations might be placed on communications providers to make communications more accessible to those with hearing and speech difficulties and other disabilities. In making those determinations, and ahead of any intervention in sector, Ofcom is obliged to undertake a public consultation to fulfil the prerequisite legal obligation on them, under domestic and European law, to ensure that any decision they make ensures proportionality and transparency, and that their decision is non-discriminatory and objectively justifiable. Their current review of relay services will inform those tests.
	Consequently, no formal assessment of the functional equivalence of Ofcom's proposal for a video relay service has been undertaken by the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, although officials have worked closely with Ofcom, as they have developed their proposals.
	Ofcom's current review of the provision of relay services in the UK includes proposals for a package of improvements to existing relay provision. These proposals include the introduction of Next Generation Text Relay (NGTR), enabling support for two way simultaneous communication with live captions/text; and the introduction, on a non-commercial basis, of an allocated amount of access to video relay for the deaf, hearing-impaired and British Sign Language (BSL) users. The Secretary of State welcomes these proposals for improvements in relay provision in the UK and is confident they will deliver economic and social benefits to deaf, hearing impaired and BSL end-users of electronic communications.

Telecommunications

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the functional equivalence of Ofcom's proposal for a video relay service.

Edward Vaizey: As the Government made clear in responding to their consultation on implementing the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework—which includes measures to advance access and choice for disabled end-users—equivalence is a broad concept and not tied to any particular service. It is for the independent national regulator, Ofcom, to assess what needs to be done to advance that access and choice for disabled end-users and what obligations might be placed on communications providers to make communications more accessible to those with hearing and speech difficulties and other disabilities. In making those determinations, and ahead of any intervention in sector, Ofcom is obliged to undertake a public consultation to fulfil the prerequisite legal obligation on them, under domestic and European law, to ensure that any decision they make ensures proportionality and transparency, and that their decision is non-discriminatory and objectively justifiable. Their current review of relay services will inform those tests.
	Consequently, no formal assessment of the functional equivalence of Ofcom's proposal for a video relay service has been undertaken by the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, the right hon. Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), although officials have worked closely with Ofcom, as they have developed their proposals.
	Ofcom's current review of the provision of relay services in the UK includes proposals for a package of improvements to existing relay provision. These proposals include the introduction of Next Generation Text Relay (NGTR), enabling support for two way simultaneous communication with live captions/text; and the introduction, on a non-commercial basis, of an allocated amount of access to video relay for the deaf, hearing-impaired and British Sign Language (BSL) users. The Secretary of State welcomes these proposals for improvements in relay provision in the UK and is confident they will deliver economic and social benefits to deaf, hearing impaired and BSL end-users of electronic communications.

Television: Licensing

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many pensioners have received free television licences in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 1997.

Edward Vaizey: The administration and enforcement of the television licensing system is the responsibility of the BBC which operates independently of the Government.
	The BBC does not record the numbers of free TV Licences issued on a constituency or regional basis.
	The BBC has provided the number of free TV Licences issued to persons aged 75 or over throughout the UK, since the concession was introduced on 1 November 2000, as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of free TV licences issued to persons in the UK aged 75 or over 
			 2000-01 3,002,549 
			 2001-02 3,381,000 
			 2002-03 3,395,772 
		
	
	
		
			 2003-04 3,490,877 
			 2004-05 3,548,595 
			 2005-06 3,604,026 
			 2006-07 3,665,879 
			 2007-08 3,709,445 
			 2008-09 3,776,118 
			 2009-10 3,853,911 
			 2010-11 3,929,753 
			 Total 39,357,925

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Armed Conflict: Diamonds

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to prevent conflict diamonds being sold in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The UK was a founding member of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), launched in 2003 to prevent ‘conflict diamonds’ from entering the legitimate diamond trade. The KPCS imposes strict requirements on its members to enable them to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are ‘conflict-free’. Since the launch of the KPCS, ‘conflict diamonds’ now represent less than 1% of the global trade in rough diamonds, compared to 15% in the 1990s.
	The British Government are committed to implementing the KPCS, eradicating trade in ‘conflict diamonds’ and working with the international community to strengthen the scheme. The Government Diamond Office, based in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is responsible for overseeing UK implementation of the KPCS. We work closely with UK Customs and law enforcement agencies to maintain robust import and export procedures to prevent 'conflict diamonds' from entering the UK.

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of Bahraini opposition parties.

Alistair Burt: I have not met representatives of the Bahraini opposition parties. Our ambassador in Bahrain will be meeting with representatives of all political parties.

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Bahraini ambassador.

Alistair Burt: Bahrain is currently between ambassadors. When the new ambassador arrives, my officials will be holding substantive discussions with her on a wide range of topics.

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the provision of support for political reforms in Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: The United Kingdom supports political reform in Bahrain, as essential for Bahrain's long-term stability. Full participation in the political process is in the interests of all parties. We welcomed His Majesty King Hamad's pledge to initiate reforms during his Ramadan address, following the end of the National Dialogue process. Implementation will now be essential.

Bahrain: Politics and Government

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many requests for meetings he has received from Bahraini opposition spokespersons; and how many such requests he has agreed to.

Alistair Burt: I have not had any requests for meetings from spokespersons of Bahrain's opposition societies.

British Nationals Abroad: Homicide

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what training is provided to officials based in (a) his Department and (b) embassies and high commissions on assistance for the families of British nationals murdered overseas.

Henry Bellingham: All consular staff in London and abroad undergo pass/fail training before taking up their duties. Much of this is delivered by professional external trainers and includes specific modules on death in violent and suspicious circumstances and on bereavement. Staff refresh their skills by attending consular workshops held regularly at posts around the world which also include specific modules on deaths in violent or suspicious circumstances and bereavement.

British Nationals Abroad: Homicide

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) organisations and (b) Government Departments are represented on the Death Abroad Working Group.

Henry Bellingham: The Death Abroad Working Group includes representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Home Office Pathologist, Missing Abroad, Victim Support Homicide Service, European RoadPeace, Coroners Society of England and Wales and Support After Murder and Manslaughter Abroad.

British Nationals Abroad: Homicide

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the draft memorandum of understanding on murder, manslaughter and infanticide of British nationals abroad to come into effect.

Henry Bellingham: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is co-ordinating drafting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will apply for both the deceased and their family. The MoU clarifies the role of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Victim Support National Homicide Service and Coroners Society of England and Wales. The FCO is ready to sign. NPIA has advised FCO officials that they are carrying out further amendments and a final version will be ready for signature in early December.

British Nationals Abroad: Homicide

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources his Department has made available to support the families of victims of murder and manslaughter abroad.

Henry Bellingham: In addition to staff resources in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and at our embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad, the FCO has entered into an agreement with the Victim Support National Homicide Service to provide funding of up to £100,000 per year for financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13 to enable them to commission services on behalf of bereaved families in England and Wales when a British national dies as a result of murder, manslaughter or infanticide abroad.

Commonwealth

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the application of South Sudan to join the Commonwealth.

Henry Bellingham: I fully support South Sudan's application to join the Commonwealth. A decision on whether South Sudan is admitted will be for all member states. Should South Sudan meet the standard for Commonwealth membership, this will give South Sudan the benefits and support that come from being part of a global network as they build their new country.

Crimes Against Humanity

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Ethiopia on allowing a UN Commission of Enquiry access to Somali Region State to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity.

Henry Bellingham: The Government are greatly concerned by the allegations of serious human rights abuses in some parts of Ethiopia's Somali regional state. We receive frequent reports of human rights abuses by both Government security forces and the Ogaden National Liberation Front. We have on many occasions called on the Ethiopian Government to allow a credible and independent investigation, both in private conversations and in public, such as during the British Government's statement at the last UN Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia's human rights. One option that we would support would be an investigation under the auspices of the UN. Our requests, however, have consistently been rejected.
	With regard to access, of the nine zones in the Somali region, five are subject to varying access restrictions (Gode, Degaxbur, Warder, Korahe and Fik). UK officials travel frequently to these zones, and I visited as well in July, although permission is needed for most travel, even in the less conflict-affected areas, and is sometimes problematic.
	The Government are also extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Somali region, where some 1.5 million drought-affected people need assistance. Access by humanitarian agencies is very limited due to a combination of security threats to aid workers and restrictions imposed by the Somali Regional Government. We have urged the Ethiopian Government to increase access to allow greater provision of humanitarian assistance.
	I raised my concerns about the situation in the Somali region with the regional president when I visited Jijiga in late July. The Under-Secretary of State for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien), made similar representations to Prime Minister Meles in June.

Diplomatic Relations

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on the criteria for establishing diplomatic relations with governments.

Henry Bellingham: Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 states that “the establishment of diplomatic relations between States, and of permanent diplomatic missions, take place by mutual consent”. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office would consider establishing diplomatic relations when deemed to be appropriate and in the UK interest.

Eritrea

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to press the Government of Ethiopia to abide by the Independent Boundary Commission's ruling on the demarcation of the border with Eritrea.

Henry Bellingham: The UK Government continue to believe that the Ethiopia-Eritrea border must be demarcated in accordance with the ruling of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission. We are concerned by the lack of progress, which has damaging consequences for Eritrea, Ethiopia and the stability of the wider region. The UK Government have encouraged both sides to engage in dialogue as we believe this could help to move beyond the status quo. We do not consider dialogue to be a pre-requisite to initiating the process of demarcation, however, and we have made clear to the Ethiopian Government the importance of taking practical steps to begin demarcation without further delay. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised this issue with Prime Minister Meles when he visited Ethiopia in July, and with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hailemariam when they met in London in June.

Ethiopia

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when UK Government officials were last granted access to the Ogaden region in Ethiopia; and under what conditions.

Henry Bellingham: The Government are greatly concerned by the allegations of serious human rights abuses in some parts of Ethiopia's Somali regional state. We receive frequent reports of human rights abuses by both Government security forces and the Ogaden National Liberation Front. We have on many occasions called on the Ethiopian Government to allow a credible and independent investigation, both in private conversations and in public, such as during the British Government's statement at the last UN Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia's human rights. One option that we would support would be an investigation under the auspices of the UN. Our requests, however, have consistently been rejected.
	With regard to access, of the nine zones in the Somali region, five are subject to varying access restrictions (Gode, Degaxbur, Warder, Korahe and Fik). UK officials travel frequently to these zones, and I visited as well in July, although permission is needed for most travel, even in the less conflict-affected areas, and is sometimes problematic.
	The Government are also extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Somali region, where some 1.5 million drought-affected people need assistance. Access by humanitarian agencies is very limited due to a combination of security threats to aid workers and restrictions imposed by the Somali Regional Government. We have urged the Ethiopian Government to increase access to allow greater provision of humanitarian assistance.
	I raised my concerns about the situation in the Somali region with the regional president when I visited Jijiga in late July. The Under-Secretary of State for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien), made similar representations to Prime Minister Meles in June.

Female Genital Mutilation

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Gambia; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The British Government strongly condemn female genital mutilation (FGM) as an abhorrent form of violence against girls and women.
	We welcome current efforts, supported by the Gambian Government, to eradicate female genital mutilation in The Gambia by 2012. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of its programme to promote sexual and reproductive health in The Gambia, works hard on this issue, alongside a range of non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations such as the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP). The EU also works closely with and supports GAMCOTRAP, as does our high commission in Banjul. In July, the British high commissioner attended an all-day event in the Lower River Region of The Gambia to celebrate GAMCOTRAP's progress on eradicating FGM in that region.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on Gibraltar.

David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and I have regular contact with our Spanish counterparts on a wide range of issues. Any discussions that we have on Gibraltar reflect our clear position on sovereignty, which is that the UK will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their wishes. Furthermore, the UK will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to visit Gibraltar.

David Lidington: I visited Gibraltar on 12-13 April 2011. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) currently has no plans to visit Gibraltar.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials of his Department are based in Gibraltar.

David Lidington: There are currently approximately 20 officials in the Governor's Office in Gibraltar. This figure includes UK-based civil servants and staff employed locally. For operational and security reasons, we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown.

Human Rights

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on human rights in the Ogaden region of the Somali Region State in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The Government are greatly concerned by the allegations of serious human rights abuses in some parts of Ethiopia's Somali regional state. We receive frequent reports of human rights abuses by both Government security forces and the Ogaden National Liberation Front. We have on many occasions called on the Ethiopian Government to allow a credible and independent investigation, both in private conversations and in public, such as during the British Government's statement at the last UN Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia's human rights. One option that we would support would be an investigation under the auspices of the UN. Our requests, however, have consistently been rejected.
	With regard to access, of the nine zones in the Somali region, five are subject to varying access restrictions (Gode, Degaxbur, Warder, Korahe and Fik). UK officials travel frequently to these zones, and I visited as well in July, although permission is needed for most travel, even in the less conflict-affected areas, and is sometimes problematic.
	The Government are also extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Somali region, where some 1.5 million drought-affected people need assistance. Access by humanitarian agencies is very limited due to a combination of security threats to aid workers and restrictions imposed by the Somali Regional Government. We have urged the Ethiopian Government to increase access to allow greater provision of humanitarian assistance.
	I raised my concerns about the situation in the Somali region with the regional president when I visited Jijiga in late July. The Under-Secretary of State for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien), made similar representations to Prime Minister Meles in June.

Human Rights

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with officials from the (a) EU and (b) UN regarding human rights in Zimbabwe.

Henry Bellingham: Although the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not personally raised the question of human rights with the EU or UN in recent months, I regularly discuss Zimbabwe issues, including human rights, with EU partners. Officials are also in regular contact with EU and UN officials on this issue.
	The UK ambassador to the UN in Geneva raised concern about the situation in Zimbabwe in a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 15 June. The UK will be seeking to speak at the UN Human Rights Council on 10 October when Zimbabwe will go through the Universal Periodic Review.

Iran: Baha'i Faith

Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made concerning the treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran, including the imprisonment of community leaders by that country; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We remain deeply concerned at the ongoing plight of members of the Baha'i faith in Iran, including the 20-year sentences imposed on seven Baha'i leaders on charges of establishing an illegal organisation, following a trial that failed to meet international standards. We are also deeply concerned about the recent closure of the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education and arrest of members of staff. These form part of a wider pattern of harassment of Baha'is in Iran. We regularly raise these issues with the Iranian authorities, including when I met the Iranian Charge d'Affaires in August this year. We will continue to press the Iranian Government to accord their people full rights of religious expression.

Libya: Terrorism

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his counterpart in the Libyan Transitional National Council evidence that links the former government of Libya with the bombing of flight UTA 772.

Alistair Burt: The National Transitional Council has stated publicly that a future Libyan Government will investigate the crimes of the former Gaddafi regime, and has asked the United Nations for advice on establishing a transitional justice programme. We would expect the bombing of flight UTA 772 to be included in such a process.

Pitcairn Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his (a) New Zealand and (b) French counterpart on the Pitcairn Islands.

Henry Bellingham: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly liaise with their counterparts in New Zealand, France and French Polynesia over a range of issues that affect Pitcairn, including policing, medical and shipping matters. Neither the Secretary of State nor I have been involved in any of these discussions ourselves.

Southern Sudan

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials of his Department are based in South Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: The embassy in South Sudan is one of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's small posts, which have five or fewer staff members including UK based civil servants and staff engaged locally. For operational and security reasons we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Sri Lankan counterpart on the humanitarian situation in that country.

Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Department for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan) on 7 September 2011, Official Report, column 709W.

Sudan

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the role of the (a) UN Interim Security Force for Abyei and (b) UN Mission in Sudan in relation to the borders of Sudan and South Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: The UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) has a key role. Now it has established an operating capability in Abyei, we expect to see a full withdrawal by the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army. We welcome the 30 July agreement by Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa, covering deployment of a border monitoring support mission as part of UNISFA. However, the UN Security Council has not yet mandated UNISFA to monitor the border between Sudan and South Sudan. The UN Mission in Sudan ended on 9 July and is now drawing down.

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask HM ambassador in Rabat to investigate reports of an attack on journalists by the Moroccan security forces during a demonstration in El Aaiún, Western Sahara on 12 August 2011.

Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports of an attack on journalists by the Moroccan security forces during demonstrations in Laayoune, on 12 August 2011. Our ambassador in Rabat is in close contact with the Moroccan authorities at a senior level, including the new National Council of Human Rights, which is mandated to investigate allegations of this kind. We will be monitoring its performance in advance of next year's Security Council discussions on Western Sahara.
	There is a regular EU-Morocco human rights dialogue and we will continue to discuss human rights including freedom of the press with Morocco bilaterally and with EU partners.

EDUCATION

Academies

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the average cost to each local authority of processing and implementing applications from schools for academy status.

Nick Gibb: Careful consideration has been given to the cost to schools', local authorities and other organisations involved in the conversion of schools to academy status. Costs to local authorities will vary depending on the complexities of local arrangements and are, for example, associated with their responsibilities to conduct the TUPE consultation, land transfer and where relevant agreeing a Commercial Transfer Agreement. We have sought to minimise costs by making the process simple and straightforward. This includes producing model documentation, such as leases. Each conversion is also assigned a dedicated Project Lead who will aim to hold early discussions with the local authorities and the schools involved to agree an approach in order to make the conversion process as efficient and cost-effective as possible.

Academies: Teachers

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations he has received on the ability of academy schools to acquire visas for foreign teachers.

Nick Gibb: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has not received any representations on the ability of academies to acquire visas for foreign teachers. The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA), as the agency responsible for funding and supporting academies, has received inquiries from three academies on the arrangements for employing non-European economic area nationals as teachers. The YPLA has provided these schools with advice based on guidance available on the Department for Education website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/careeropportunities/overseas-trainedteachers/a0077487/uk-border-agency-ukba-requirements-for-bringing-overseas-trained-teachers-to-the-uk

Adoption

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average length of time was between a child being approved for adoption by the courts and their placement with an adoptive family for each local authority in each of the last five years.

Tim Loughton: Information on the average length of time between the making of a freeing order or a placement order and the child's placement with an adoptive family is shown in the following table.
	The table shows information for each local authority for the years ending 31 March 2006 to 2010, where each year accounts for the number of looked after children who were first placed for adoption in that year. The average time is measured from the date of the freeing order or placement order, which may have occurred in the same, or a previous year and the date the child was placed for adoption. The table does not include those children for whom a court has made a placement order but who are yet to be placed for adoption.
	Prior to 30 December 2005 local authorities could place a child for adoption without a freeing order or parental consent. From 30 December 2005, local authorities can place a child for adoption only with parental consent or with a placement order. A child may be placed for adoption with parental consent before a placement order is made. Numbers and averages exclude children who were placed for adoption without a freeing order or were placed for adoption prior to the making of a placement order.
	
		
			 Table 1: Average length of time between the making of a freeing order or a placement order and the child's placement with prospective adopters during the year by local authority  (1,2,3,4)  ,   Years ending 31 March 2006 to 2010  ,   Coverage: England 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			  No. of children placed for adoption during the year Average time (days) between the making of a freeing or placement order and placement No. of children placed for adoption during the year Average time (days) between the making of a freeing or placement order and placement No. of children placed for adoption during the year Average time (days) between the making of a freeing or placement order and placement No. of children placed for adoption during the year Average time (days) between the making of a freeing or placement order and placement No. of children placed for adoption during the year Average time (days) between the making of a freeing or placement order and placement 
			 England 1,730 144 2,240 135 2,790 174 2,760 203 2,330 224 
		
	
	
		
			 North East 130 95 160 121 170 145 230 154 170 201 
			 Darlington 5 47 5 93 x x x x x x 
			 Durham x x 20 91 15 101 30 182 20 228 
			 Gateshead 15 72 15 120 10 66 30 83 20 167 
			 Hartlepool x 0 5 56 10 14 5 87 15 200 
			 Middlesbrough 15 136 10 51 15 212 15 133 20 174 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 20 103 15 43 20 53 30 87 20 193 
			 North Tyneside 15 88 15 131 15 122 30 251 10 319 
			 Northumberland 10 36 20 109 10 120 10 111 5 192 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 10 175 5 107 10 239 10 274 5 113 
			 South Tyneside 20 106 25 130 25 92 25 54 20 74 
			 Stockton-on-Tees S 212 10 310 10 264 10 248 5 190 
			 Sunderland 10 52 15 210 25 278 30 226 25 314 
			            
			 North West 310 154 330 179 480 184 450 236 380 251 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 15 93 15 202 15 218 10 230 20 250 
			 Blackpool 15 161 25 201 20 198 20 240 10 351 
			 Bolton 25 186 20 174 25 152 40 184 25 249 
			 Bury 15 110 10 227 10 214 10 23 x x 
			 Cheshire(5) 20 88 10 105 15 165 x- x n/a n/a 
			 Cheshire East(5) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 15 426 
			 Cheshire West and Chester(5) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a x x 
			 Cumbria 15 188 20 115 30 173 25 255 35 322 
			 Halton 0 0 x x 5 190 15 171 10 162 
			 Knowsley 10 26 10 68 10 21 5 63 10 203 
			 Lancashire 50 129 45 80 75 152 60 285 50 299 
			 Liverpool 5 111 20 195 45 91 30 73 15 112 
			 Manchester 15 123 20 117 20 326 35 213 15 62 
			 Oldham 10 298 15 405 30 258 30 277 15 352 
			 Rochdale 20 235 15 321 20 198 20 317 15 214 
			 Salford 15 180 20 181 30 188 30 245 25 336 
			 Sefton 10 45 10 91 20 200 10 392 15 252 
			 St Helens x x x x 25 242 15 279 10 199 
			 Stockport 15 45 15 136 20 164 15 217 15 250 
			 Tameside 15 94 15 182 20 211 20 255 25 334 
			 Trafford x x 5 32 5 13 15 217 x x 
			 Warrington x x 10 65 10 201 10 322 10 238 
			 Wig an 15 482 15 520 15 259 20 393 20 296 
			 Wirral 10 124 5 126 15 230 10 213 10 318 
			            
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 400 166 320 194 400 215 360 247 350 275 
			 Barnsley 20 93 15 105 20 139 15 177 20 282 
			 Bradford 45 143 35 321 35 203 35 240 25 294 
			 Calderdale 15 165 20 300 20 292 15 315 15 314 
			 Don caster 15 52 25 95 30 178 30 232 20 301 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 25 169 10 90 15 281 20 405 x x 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 35 95 35 174 30 253 45 240 45 325 
			 Kirklees 35 261 25 209 30 253 25 253 20 242 
			 Leeds 55 226 50 189 80 179 50 183 45 266 
		
	
	
		
			 North East Lincolnshire 15 288 x x x x x x 25 260 
			 North Lincolnshire x x x x 15 188 15 223 10 276 
			 North Yorkshire 25 161 15 307 20 281 15 196 5 124 
			 Rotherham 30 298 15 124 15 225 15 374 35 270 
			 Sheffield 50 215 45 175 55 242 40 328 40 324 
			 Wakefield 20 243 15 119 20 168 15 126 20 91 
			 York 15 105 10 208 5 164 10 90 10 154 
			            
			 East Midlands 100 152 190 97 280 149 210 179 190 205 
			 Derby 20 355 35 164 25 324 35 317 40 303 
			 Derbyshire 20 193 30 10 50 39 45 32 20 60 
			 Leicester 15 64 20 103 20 192 20 147 20 157 
			 Leicestershire 15 74 15 117 15 126 10 146 x x 
			 Lincolnshire 10 60 20 134 35 92 25 128 25 144 
			 Northamptonshire 15 120 35 66 50 168 35 243 40 241 
			 Nottingham x x 15 97 45 228 20 232 25 206 
			 Nottinghamshire x x 15 120 40 109 20 232 20 261 
			 Rutland x x 0 0 x x 0 0 0 0 
			            
			 West Midlands 290 133 330 122 320 203 340 219 250 200 
			 Birmingham 55 136 60 180 75 315 75 311 55 313 
			 Coventry 20 292 20 86 35 224 30 238 10 245 
			 Dudley 30 166 20 141 20 226 20 246 20 213 
			 Herefordshire 10 246 x x 10 109 5 155 0 0 
			 Sandwell 10 211 25 104 20 319 15 116 5 260 
			 Shropshire 10 33 x x 10 31 x x 10 52 
			 Solihull x x 15 88 x x x x x x 
			 Staffordshire 25 92 45 80 30 204 35 173 25 132 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 15 99 25 124 35 118 40 291 20 228 
			 Telford and Wrekin 10 210 15 96 x x 15 103 25 65 
			 Walsall 35 108 45 97 25 103 30 164 30 170 
			 Warwickshire 15 94 20 64 15 84 20 194 20 115 
			 Wolverhampton 30 62 15 109 15 156 20 119 20 225 
			 Worcestershire 20 131 25 206 25 221 25 197 15 276 
			            
			 East of England 170 141 220 137 300 188 280 222 240 235 
			 Bedfordshire(5) x x 10 41 10 207 x x n/a n/a 
			 Bedford Borough(5) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 64 
			 Central Bedfordshire(5) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 10 51 20 135 15 126 25 126 x x 
			 Essex 50 175 55 169 50 235 45 275 40 277 
			 Hertfordshire 15 37 20 69 50 168 45 200 30 261 
			 Luton 0 0 10 96 15 140 15 194 5 53 
			 Norfolk 40 152 35 155 50 152 50 273 45 213 
			 Peterborough 5 149 25 122 35 147 25 152 35 231 
			 Southend-on-Sea x x x x 10 272 5 88 10 134 
			 Suffolk 40 146 40 162 60 251 60 268 60 295 
			 Thurrock 5 0 x x 10 32 x x 5 20 
			            
			 London 60 65 220 72 340 139 310 161 230 223 
			 Inner London 40 78 80 99 160 105 140 163 120 207 
		
	
	
		
			 Camden 0 0 x x 10 186 x x 5 55 
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 x x 
			 Hackney x x x x x x 10 105 x x 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham x x 15 77 5 0 x x 5 118 
			 Haringey x x 5 82 10 118 10 240 10 336 
			 Islington 5 78 x x 10 109 10 226 x x 
			 Kensington and Chelsea x x x x 5 149 x x x x 
			 Lambeth x x 10 318 10 291 20 311 20 306 
			 Lewisham 0 0 x x 15 35 25 143 20 168 
			 Newham 0 0 10 17 20 24 25 138 20 168 
			 Southwark x x 10 16 25 77 20 115 15 263 
			 Tower Hamlets x x 5 71 15 91 10 41 x x 
			 Wandsworth 10 108 x x 15 132 x x 10 246 
			 Westminster x x 10 83 15 176 5 50 x x 
			            
			 Outer London 20 40 130 55 180 169 170 158 110 240 
			 Barking and Dagenham 0 0 0 0 15 106 15 177 x x 
			 Barnet 0 0 10 63 10 107 15 185 x x 
			 Bexley x x 15 100 10 110 10 230 x x 
			 Brent 0 0 10 51 10 253 10 268 x x 
			 Bromley 0 0 x x 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Croydon x x 10 19 15 166 10 8 x x 
			 Ealing x x 20 53 15 129 10 107 10 40 
			 Enfield x x 20 62 15 116 10 198 10 242 
			 Greenwich 0 0 x x x x x x 0 0 
			 Harrow x x 10 74 5 165 15 125 10 55 
			 Havering 5 52 x x 15 153 10 134 10 587 
			 Hillingdon 0 0 x x 15 285 15 106 10 186 
			 Hounslow 0 0 10 53 10 193 15 221 15 242 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 0 0 x x x x x x x x 
			 Merton 0 0 5 55 x x 0 0 x x 
			 Redbridge 0 0 x x 5 158 5 259 x x 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 0 0 x x x x 10 44 0 0 
			 Sutton 0 0 x x 10 266 x x x x 
			 Waltham Forest x x x x 10 186 10 256 15 346 
			            
			 South East 130 118 290 141 290 159 350 203 320 176 
			 Bracknell Forest 0 0 5 66 0 0 x x 0 0 
			 Brighton and Hove 10 140 15 121 20 75 30 196 20 158 
			 Buckinghamshire x x 5 77 15 229 15 224 10 182 
			 East Sussex 5 40 . 30 102 10 68 35 277 20 157 
			 Hampshire x x 35 144 20 179 25 183 40 205 
			 Isle of Wight 0 0 5 74 x x 5 177 5 117 
			 Kent 65 153 70 198 80 164 60 151 45 210 
			 Medway Towns 15 74 10 140 25 122 15 227 10 151 
			 Milton Keynes 15 168 10 192 10 344 10 279 10 290 
			 Oxfordshire x x x x 15 172 20 207 20 146 
			 Portsmouth x x x x x x 10 101 10 124 
			 Reading x x x x 5 157 15 176 10 175 
			 Slough x x 5 215 10 125 10 321 x x 
			 Southampton x x 10 116 10 182 15 168 20 100 
		
	
	
		
			 Surrey 5 56 20 83 20 180 45 236 40 178 
			 West Berkshire x x x x x x x x x x 
			 West Sussex x x 40 131 25 135 30 224 40 165 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 0 0 5 113 x x x x x x 
			 Wokingham 0 0 x x x x x x 5 252 
			            
			 South West 140 124 180 93 220 145 230 158 200 220 
			 Bath and North East Somerset x x 10 72 5 228 x x x x 
			 Bournemouth 10 91 10 34 5 112 5 45 5 0 
			 Bristol, City of 10 55 25 130 30 107 30 122 30 219 
			 Cornwall 25 144 30 100 40 157 25 180 30 208 
			 Devon x x 20 79 35 148 15 154 15 281 
			 Dorset 5 115 x x x x 15 43 x x 
			 Gloucestershire 15 62 15 59 15 127 15 162 15 126 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North Somerset 5 71 5 111 10 285 5 191 20 223 
			 Plymouth 25 179 15 29 15 206 40 187 25 271 
			 Poole '5 234 0 0 5 170 x x x x 
			 Somerset 15 67 15 168 20 86 20 190 15 265 
			 South Gloucestershire 0 0 x x x x 10 158 5 137 
			 Swindon 10 113 15 110 15 133 5 110 x x 
			 Torbay 10 314 5 76 10 148 15 293 10 410 
			 Wiltshire 5 35 10 54 15 72 20 123 10 160 
			 x = Figures not shown in order to protect confidentiality. n/a = Not applicable. (1) England and region totals have been rounded to the nearest 10. Other numbers have been rounded to the nearest five. Average time between approval for adoption and placement is shown as mean number of days. (2) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements. (3) Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials. (4) Freeing orders were abolished with effect from 30 December 2005. Placements order were introduced when the Adoption and Children Act 2002 came into force. (5) In 2009, Cheshire local authority split into Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. Similarly, Bedfordshire LA split into Bedford and Central Bedfordshire. Source: SSDA 903

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what the average cost is of each completed school building project under the Building Schools for the Future programme;
	(2)  what the average cost to the public purse was of building a (a) primary school of average size and (b) secondary school of average size in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The average cost of each completed school building project under the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme is £18 million. This figure is drawn from data on 227 schools and includes complete new build projects; part new build and part refurbishment projects; and refurbishment only projects.
	The average cost of building a new secondary school of average size, procured through BSF is £25 million. This figure is drawn from data on 93 new build schools of average size.
	Information is held centrally only in respect of the cost of building secondary schools procured as part of BSF. Cost information for primary and secondary schools procured locally is held by local authorities and cannot be collected and aggregated without disproportionate cost.

Children: Autism

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how he expects schools to monitor the progress of children with autism, including those who do not have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan;
	(2)  whether he proposes that all children with autism will be given an action plan, including children without a statement of special educational needs on an education, health and care plan.

Sarah Teather: Local authority maintained schools in England have a duty and academies an obligation to use their best endeavours to make the special educational provision called for by a child's learning difficulties, including children with autism. The provision and progress of children with statements of special educational needs (SEN) must be reviewed at least annually and the SEN and disability Green Paper proposed that the provision for, and progress of, children with education, health and care plans should be reviewed regularly.
	Schools can draw up individual education plans for children with or without statements. The Green Paper said that a revised SEN code of practice would look at new approaches to planning, reviewing and tracking pupils' progress which reduced the bureaucratic burdens on schools associated with individual education plans.

Children’s Play: Training

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reasons the Playwork Induction Standard was replaced by a system of individual qualification for playscheme employees.

Sarah Teather: The Playwork Induction Standard did not meet the standards demanded by the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, when it came into force in September 2008. The framework sets the minimum requirements for staff-to-child ratios in settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and the qualification levels practitioners must hold.

Civil Disorder

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect on children's services in local authorities of the eviction of council tenants involved in the public disorder of August 2011.

Tim Loughton: Local authorities are best placed to consider how their children's services should respond locally to this and any other impacts following the recent public disorder. In doing so I am sure that they will take into account both their statutory responsibilities and the needs of vulnerable children and young people in the area.

Class Sizes

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average class size for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools was in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside and (iii) England in each year since 2010.

Nick Gibb: The requested information is shown in the table.
	
		
			 State-funded primary and secondary schools:  (1,2,3)   classes as taught.  (4 )  As at January each year, in England, South Tyneside local authority and Jarrow parliamentary constituency 
			  Average class size 
			  England South Tyneside local authority Jarrow parliamentary constituency 
			  State-funded primary  (1,2) State-funded secondary  (1,3) State-funded primary  (1,2) State-funded secondary  (1,3) State-funded primary  (1,2) State-funded secondary  (1,3) 
			 2010 26.4 20.5 25.4 20.5 25.3 19.2 
			 2011 26.6 20.4 25.3 19.4 24.8 18.3 
			 Notes:  (1 )Includes middle schools as deemed.  (2) Includes primary academies.  (3) Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies (including all-through academies).  (4) One teacher classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January.  Source:  School Census.

Classroom Assistants

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations on the practice of using unqualified teaching assistants as cover supervisors for absent teachers.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 6 September  2011 
	The Agency Worker Regulations do not change the position on the use of cover supervisors. The role of a cover supervisor is to supervise pupils in carrying out a pre-prepared exercise but it does not involve teaching a class. Therefore, those undertaking the role of cover supervisors should continue to be paid as cover supervisors.
	The Department has provided guidance on its website to help those in the education sector with the implementation of the Regulations. The guidance is available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/a0077106/supply-teachers

Departmental Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many senior civil servants in his Department and its predecessors at each grade had worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte or KPMG immediately prior to taking up their appointment in each of the last four years; what consultancy agreements his Department and its predecessors had with those firms in each such year; and how many consultants from those firms have advised his Department and its predecessors in each such year.

Tim Loughton: Information on the former employment of senior civil servants is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the consultancy services provided to the Department in the last four years (shown in financial years) is set out as follows:
	Deloitte
	Total spend £421,000 (2008-09), £398,000 (2009-10), £294,000 (2010-11) and £172,000 (2011-12 to end July).
	Services provided from financial year 2010-11 onwards include: the provision of financial audit services on audit reviews of Nestor Primecare Services income and expenditure accounts for the Childcare Approval Scheme; developing the process for due diligence reports associated with the free schools agenda.
	KPMG
	Total spend £757,000 (2008-09), £683,000 (2009-10) and £457,000 (2010-11).
	Services provided from financial year 2010-11 onwards include: professional services consultancy, providing advisory services supporting the development of Diplomas; information systems and technology strategy development services.
	PricewaterhouseCoopers
	Total spend £2,724,000 (2008-09), £2,536,000 (2009-10), £1,124,000 (2010-11) and £619,000 (2011-12 to end July).
	Services provided from financial year 2010-11 onwards include: research and analysis services for: the evaluation of the Commissioning Support Programme and the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in children and young people's services; the evaluation of Building Schools for the Future Programme; evaluation of the making good progress pilots—an investigation of Speech and Language Therapy; services for supporting the Teacher Pension Services tender project; and, the supply of services to deliver the Achievement for All programme.
	There was no expenditure with Ernst and Young in those years.
	Information on expenditure for the years before 2008-09 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department does not hold any information, for all years, on the number of consultants who have provided advice and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Correspondence

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many letters his Department received from hon. Members in June 2011.

Tim Loughton: The total number of letters in the Department for Education from hon. and right hon. Members in June was 1,187.

Departmental Procurement

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what methodology (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible used to estimate savings to the public purse made in respect of its procurement and purchasing since May 2010.

Tim Loughton: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander), said in response to PQ16752, on 15 November 2010, Official Report, columns 615-16W, that the Government had announced a more specific and innovative approach to efficiency and reform across the public sector, including:
	a reduction in administration budgets of 34% across the whole of Whitehall and its arm's length bodies saving £5.9 billion a year by 2014-15;
	radically reducing the number of arm's length bodies across government; and
	the Efficiency and Reform Group's tough new efficiency regime which will drive savings in procurement, major projects and estate management;
	and that, in result, Departments would no longer be required to report against the previous Government's efficiency target.
	In August 2011, the Minister for the Cabinet Office announced that the Efficiency and Reform Group's new measures had saved £3.75 billion over 2010/11.
	This impact was assessed using methodologies attached at Annex A. The assessment has been independently verified by Government auditors who found the benefits assertions to be fairly calculated and presented.
	These savings are born out in my Department's annual report and accounts 2010-11.
	http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/d/annual%20report%20and%20accounts%202010%2011.pdf
	Note 9 (a), page 83, reports that other administration costs for my Department reduced from £70.713 million in financial year 2009-10 to £65.868 million in financial year 2010-11. Figures in this report are prepared in accordance with HM Treasury's Financial Reporting Manual for central Government Departments and associated Treasury resource accounting and budgeting guidance.
	
		
			 Annex A: Activity and calculation method 
			 Area Activity description Evidence   base/c  alculation 
			 Consulting Government put in place a moratorium on new consulting spend, and extensions to existing contracts. Where spend was considered operationally critical (for example, where it might put at risk critical services) an exception process existed for department ministers to sign off expenditure over £20,000. Savings are calculated by subtracting total departmental reported spend on consultancy for 2010/11 from total departmental reported spend on consultancy for 2009/10. To reduce the risk of costs shifting between categories, we also monitored expenditure on other Professional Services categories, including contingent labour. 
			    
			 Crown Commercial Government have renegotiated deals with some of the largest suppliers to government. The method of calculation varies according to the initiative that yields the saving, but was based on cash releasing' savings against a baseline of what would have otherwise been spent. This was often price savings against the previous price paid. Savings agreed with suppliers are recorded in Memoranda of Understanding as guaranteed-in-year or conditional-in-year savings. Realised savings were subsequently tracked back to departmental verification of supplier progress reports. 
			    
		
	
	
		
			 Contingent Labour Government have significantly cut the number of temporary staff. Savings are calculated by subtracting total departmental reported spend on contingent labour for 2010/11 from total departmental reported spend on contingent labour for 2009/10. 
			    
			 Communications Government froze all new marketing spend unless it is an operational necessity. Where spend was proposed, ministerial sign-off was required for £20,000 or above. Calculations compare departmental spend on marketing and advertising through COI for 2010/11 with that for 2009/10. 
			    
			 Centralising Procurement Government have started to centralise spend on common goods and services to drive down prices. These savings derive from the 10 categories of expenditure targeted for centralisation, and relate to price savings through increased aggregation. For each initiative, calculations are performed using individual benefit methodologies that set out how savings will be calculated against a 2009/10 price baseline. Evidence is management information provided by suppliers. 
			    
			 ICT We implemented: (a) a moratorium on all new ICT spend above £1 million; and (b) a review of all on-going ICT commitments. Departments also reported those projects that were closed before undergoing the review. Calculations are based on departmental reports of spend that has not proceeded. Spend that has not gone ahead in 2010/11 is recorded, as a result of stopping or reducing spend. Further, sustainable savings are targeted through the Government ICT strategy. 
			    
			 Major Projects We reviewed the Government's biggest projects to see where 2010/11 costs could practically be reduced within contractual constraints, or wasteful projects stopped altogether. We have halted or curtailed spend on four projects: 14-19 Reform—£60 million Identity Cards—£50 million Highways Agency Projects—£54 million Whole Farm—£5 million We have redacted £22 million of potential double counting from these figures that arises between this work and our supplier renegotiation work stream. £14.9 million arises from the Home Office National Identity Cards and £6.7 million from DEFRA Whole Farm. HMT have provided assurance that the relevant amounts were removed from departmental budgets following the Major Projects related negotiations. 
			    
			 Property We put in place national property controls such that signature of new property leases or lease extensions were approved centrally. It has not always been possible to net off all costs associated with vacating buildings. However, we have also not claimed savings in respect of revenue from property disposals. Calculations are property by property based on the amount departments have reported saved through the Government's property database by non-renewal of property leases at lease breaks or upon lease expiry.

Departmental Public Appointments

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leeds North East of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 423-24W, on independent review panels, in respect of each of the reviews commissioned by his Department between May 2010 and March 2011 which appointments (a) were made following a light-touch process and (b) involved a formal application and selection process; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 5 September 2011
	All independent review panel appointments were based on a light-touch process.

Departmental Regulation

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many regulations his Department has introduced (a) in the six months prior to 1 September 2010 and (b) in the six months after 1 September 2010 which it has determined do not impose costs on businesses.

Tim Loughton: In the period between 1 March 2010 and 31 August 2010, the Department for Education made 68 statutory instruments which did not impose any costs upon businesses. In the period between 1 September 2010 and 28 February 2011, the Department made 28 statutory instruments which did not impose any costs upon businesses.
	Copies of these statutory instruments can be found at:
	www.legislation.gov.uk

Departmental Regulation

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many regulations that impose costs on businesses his Department (a) introduced and (b) removed in the six months prior to 1 September 2010; and what the net effect on the costs on businesses of such introductions and removals was.

Tim Loughton: In the period between 1 March 2010 and 31 August 2010, the Department for Education introduced two statutory instruments which imposed costs on business. In the case of both of these statutory instruments, impact assessments were carried out which identified the likely costs implications associated with their implementation. These impact assessments can be viewed using the links provided.
	The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/1997/pdfs/uksiem_20101997_en.pdf
	Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children's Homes etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/617/pdfs/uksiem_20100617_en.pdf
	None of the statutory instruments which were revoked by the Department between 1 March 2010 and 31 August 2010 imposed any costs on business.

Departmental Work Experience

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many hours were worked per week by each intern employed by his Department under the Cabinet Office Summer Diversity Internship Programme in the last 12 months.

Tim Loughton: Information for the Department is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Intern Length of placement during period (week(s)) Hours worked 
			 Intern 1 3 108 
			 Intern 2 3 108 
			 Intern 3 3 101 
			 Intern 4 3 108 
			 Intern 5 3 101 
			 Intern 6 1 36 
			 Intern 7 1 36 
			 Intern 8 1 36 
			 Intern 9 2 72 
			 Intern 10 2 72 
			 Intern 11 4 144 
			 Intern 12 2 72 
			 Intern 13 2 72 
			 Intern 14 2 72 
			 Intern 15 2 72 
			 Intern 16 2 72 
			 Intern 17 2 72 
			 Intern 18 1.5 58 
			 Total hours worked — 1,412

Departmental Work Experience

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) persons undertaking unpaid work experience, (b) unpaid interns and (c) other persons in unpaid positions were working in his Department as of 1 July 2011.

Tim Loughton: From 1 July 2011 until the end of August 2011, the Department has had 42 unpaid work experience placements. The Department had no unpaid interns over the same period.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students were in receipt of educational maintenance allowance in each school and college in London in 2010-11.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Coventry

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many young people in Coventry local authority area were in receipt of education maintenance allowance in academic year 2010-11; and how many young people in that area he expects to participate in the 16-19 bursary scheme in 2011-12.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 7 September 2011
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question PQ70368.
	As at the 31 of July 2011 the number of young people who had received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in Coventry Local Authority area was 4,604.
	EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year. EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments, broken down by local authority, during academic year 2010/11 is available on the YPLA website, at the following address:
	http://ema.ypla.gov.uk/resources/research/takeup/
	Further information on take up for the academic years: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 can also be found here.
	Schools, colleges, Academies and training providers will be able to determine their own criteria for eligibility for discretionary bursaries, and for deciding the level of awards. We therefore do not hold data about the number of young people that are expected to benefit from the bursary scheme in each local authority area. We expect that in many cases providers will want to agree a consistent approach across an area, taking account of the needs and circumstances of young people locally.
	The bursary fund allocations that have been made for 2011/12 for schools, colleges and further providers have been published and can be found on the following website:
	http://www.ypla.gov.uk/aboutus/ourwork/funding/allocations/

Free Schools

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the cost to the public purse has been of each of the free schools established to date.

Nick Gibb: Current estimates are that the total capital costs for the 24 free schools opening in 2011 will range from £110 million to £130 million. The Department will publish the full financial information for approved free schools once final costs have been agreed.

Free Schools

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of applications to establish free schools were from parent groups.

Nick Gibb: holding answer  7 September  2011
	There were 323 applications in the first Free School application round, which closed on 11 February 2011, from a diverse range of groups. At the time we did not, however, require proposers to categorise themselves as either teachers, parents or charitable groups.
	In the second round of Free School applications, which closed on 15 June 2011, there were 281 applications of which 227 were for mainstream Free Schools. 126 (56%) of these applications came from local groups, where proposers have described themselves as a teacher, parent or community group.

Free Schools: Finance

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much of his Department's net expenditure on academies is to be recouped from dedicated schools grant payments to local authorities from September 2011.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 5 September 2011
	The amount recouped from local authorities through adjustments to their dedicated schools grant allocation increases throughout the year as more schools become academies.
	Details of the first adjustment for 2011-12 financial year can be found at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/settlement2012 pupilpremium/a0070267/dsg-and-pupil-premium-allocations-for-2011-12
	(final 2011-12 DSG allocations). At that point, the figure for 2011-12 recoupment, for both school budget share and Local Authority Central Spend Equivalent Grant (LACSEG), was £2.4 billion. Details of the next adjustment in September and subsequent adjustments will be made available at the same web-page.

GCSE

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the trends in academic standards in GCSE examinations.

Nick Gibb: The independent regulator, Ofqual, is responsible for ensuring that standards are maintained over time. It is currently looking into issues such as grade inflation, level of demand on candidates, marking and international comparisons.
	The Government plans to reform the National Curriculum and GCSEs to ensure that all our young people have an education which matches up to the best in the world and allows them progress to further and higher study.
	New GCSEs will be developed reflecting the new National Curriculum, focusing on essential knowledge in key subjects, with exams taken at the end of the course to support good teaching and in-depth study.

GCSE: GCE A-level

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's policy is on the timing of release of GCSE and A level results to local authorities.

Nick Gibb: Summer GCSE and A level results are each released to students on a specific date in August. Awarding organisations communicate results in confidence to the relevant schools and colleges the day before.
	The Department publishes Statistical First Releases (SFRs) on the overall achievements of young people in GCSE examinations and other accredited qualifications and on the overall achievement of young people in GCE and Applied GCE A-level examinations and other equivalent qualifications at the end of October. These SFRs present national and local authority level results based on provisional data.
	School and college level results are then published in mid-January in the Performance Tables, and further SFRs are published based on final data. This follows a process during which schools check and confirm, or ask for amendments to, the data for which they are held to account. The final data also takes account of results notified late by awarding organisations, the outcome of appeals etc.

Headteachers: Pay

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the salaries of head teachers are subject to the public sector pay freeze.

Nick Gibb: The two-year pay freeze for all head teachers and teachers in maintained schools started on 1 September 2011. The pay freeze relates to inflationary pay increases and will cover the 2011/12 and 2012/13 academic years.
	Staff in academies are not affected by the public sector pay freeze. This is because academies are not bound by the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) and are therefore able to set their own pay and conditions of service.

Music: Education

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils took part in peripatetic music lessons in (i) England, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) Dudley Borough in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 7 September 2011
	We are making £82.5 million available for music education in 2011-12 and are determined that this is used to ensure that every child has an opportunity to learn a musical instrument. We do not collect data centrally on the numbers of peripatetic music lessons either nationally or in specific areas. However, data supplied voluntarily by local authorities suggests that 831,503 primary school children in England were learning a musical instrument in the 2009/10 academic year and a projected 880,971 were learning a musical instrument in 2010/11.

Music: Education

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the allocation of music education funding to local authorities.

Nick Gibb: The allocation of music education funding to local authorities was discussed in February 2011 with the Department for Communities and Local Government, prior to the announcement of the 2011-12 music education budget.

Music: Education

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department has issued to local education authorities on the funding of music education services.

Nick Gibb: The Federation of Music Services, which is administering the Music Education Grant on behalf of the Department in 2011-12, has issued guidance on the funding of music education services.
	The guidance states that this funding should be used to support frontline services for music. In order to receive the funding, local authorities must submit a declaration that the money will be used for music education. In addition local authorities must provide details of their contribution to music education funding and the services that they intend to provide to children in the area, as well as showing how the Music Education Grant will be used to meet the Government's objectives in terms of music education. The guidance also states that the Music Education Grant must not be used for musical provision which replaces activities for which funding is already allocated through other sources (e.g. National Curriculum music provision, for which schools are already funded).
	The full set of guidance can be found at:
	http://www.thefms.org/the-fms/professional/funding/

Music: Education

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding has been allocated to each local authority for music education in each category of expenditure for 2011-12.

Nick Gibb: We are making £82.5 million available for music education in 2011-12, of which £77 million is going to local authorities. The Federation of Music Services, the membership organisation for music services, is administering the Music Education Grant on behalf of the Department for 2011-12. Details of allocations of the grant to each local authority can be found on the Federation of Music Services' website at:
	http://www.thefms.org/the-fms/professional/funding/

Pupil Exclusions: Children in Care

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of looked after children were (a) temporarily and (b) permanently excluded in each local authority area in each of the last five years.

Tim Loughton: Information on the percentage of children looked after continuously for at least 12 months who received a fixed exclusion and the percentage who received a permanent exclusion is available for the years 2007 to 2009 in the Statistical First Release “Outcomes for Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England, as at 31 March 2010” available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000978/index.shtml
	Figures for 2009/10 are now available and will be included in the 2011 publication in December.
	Table 1, showing local authority level figures for the academic years 2006/07 to 2009/10 for children looked after continuously for at least 12 months at 31 March based on the individual child level CLA-NPD matched dataset, has been placed in the House Libraries. Information on years prior to 2007 is not available from this data source.
	Prior to 2007 information was collected via the OC2 aggregate return. These figures were based on children looked after continuously for at least 12 months at 30 September. Information on the percentage of children receiving a fixed exclusion is not available. The figures for the percentage of children receiving a permanent exclusion are not directly comparable to those from the CLA-NPD matched dataset as they have been derived from a different data source and are based on a different cohort of children. Figures for 2005/06 can be found in the SFR “Outcome Indicators for Looked-after Children, Twelve months to 30 September 2006, England”, available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000727/index.shtml
	Table 2, showing the percentage of children looked after continuously for at least 12 months at 30 September who received a permanent exclusion in 2005/06, has been placed in the House Libraries. Where a child was permanently excluded more than once in the previous school year, each occasion has been counted.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of school pupils in Coventry local authority area were in receipt of free school meals in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals in Coventry local authority as at January 2011 is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special schools, and pupil referral units:  (1,)  ()  (2,)  ()  (3,)  ()  (4)   Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals,  (5,)  ()  (6,)  ()  (7)   January 2011, Coventry local authority 
			  Pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			  Number on roll  (5,6) Number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals  (5,6) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			 Maintained nursery and state-funded primary schools(1,)( )(2) 25,544 6,330 24.8 
			 State-funded secondary schools(1,3) 17,186 3.505 20.4 
			 Special schools(4) 719 303 42.1 
			 Pupil referral units 65 20 30.8 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 43,514 10,158 23.3 
			 Notes:  1. Includes middle schools as deemed.  2. Includes primary academies.  3. Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies.  4. Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools, excludes general hospital schools.  5. Includes pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. Includes boarders. In pupil referral units includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges.  6. Pupils who have full-time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part-time attendance and are aged between 5 and 15.  7. Includes maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special schools, and pupil referral units. Excludes pupils in alternative provision as full and part-time status is not collected.  Source:  School Census. 
		
	
	The latest information, for January 2011, on free school meal eligibility and other school and pupil information can be found in the “Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2011” Statistical First Release at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001012/index.shtml

Schools: Attendance

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many parental requests for authorised absence during term time were (a) approved and (b) declined in (i) Coventry education authority area, (ii) Bradford education authority area, (iii) Stoke-on-Trent education authority area, (iv) Wolverhampton education authority area and (v) England in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education does not collect data on the number of parental requests for authorised absence during term time. The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 state that head teachers may grant leave of absence during term time. The Department looks to schools themselves to consider each request as they can only be judged on a case-by-case basis taking into account individual circumstances. We would not want to interfere with that process.
	The available absence statistics can be found in the 'Pupil Absence in Schools in England, Including Pupil Characteristics: 2009/10' Statistical First Release at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000994/index.shtml
	The Department collects information on the total number of sessions possible and the number of sessions of absence per term. It is not possible to identify individual episodes of absence.

Schools: Finance

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much has been allocated in local authority central spend equivalent grant in each local authority area to date; and how much of that grant has been recouped from the dedicated schools grant to each local authority.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 5 September 2011
	Since the beginning of the academy programme, there has been a principle that academies should be funded on the same basis as maintained schools in their local area. In addition to their school budget share, Academies are paid a Local Authority Central Spend Equivalent Grant (LACSEG) to cover the costs of those services that were previously provided without charge by the local authority.
	Tables have been placed in the House of Libraries which detail the amount of LACSEG paid out in academic years 2005/06 to 2010/11 and the amount of LACSEG recouped from each local authority since the inception of recoupment in 2008 to 31 August 2011.
	The two sets of figures are not comparable. Only funding for LACSEG within the Schools Budget is recouped from DSG. The bulk of LACSEG relates to local authorities' non-schools education budget. Up to and including 2010-11 none of this funding was recovered from local authorities. In 2011-12, £148 million was topsliced from the local government settlement. The level of the reduction to local government funding relating to local authority LACSEG in 2011-12 and 2012-13 has recently been subject to a consultation. The Government are considering the responses to that consultation and the outcome will be announced shortly.

Schools: Finance

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's schools budget is planned to be in each year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Tim Loughton: The current schools budget for 2011-12 together with the current allocations as set out in Table 7.2 of “Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2011”, published by HM Treasury, for the financial years 2012-13 to 2014-15 is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 School budget (dedicated schools grant and funding for academies) 
			 Financial year £ million 
			 2011-12 37,400 
			 2012-13 37,745 
			 2013-14 38,158 
			 2014-15 38,577 
		
	
	In addition schools will also receive the pupil premium that will be worth £625 million in 2011-12 rising to £2.5 billion in 2014-15.

Schools: Finance

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was allocated to each school and college in London in 16 to 19 bursaries for 2011-12.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the 16-19 Bursary Fund for the Department for Education. Peter Lauener, the YPLA's chief executive, will write to the hon. member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Schools: Tower Hamlets

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will take steps to ensure that funding for other schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is not affected adversely as a result of the Bethnal Green Technology College becoming an academy.

Nick Gibb: The principle of Academy funding is that Academies receive the same level of per-pupil funding as they would receive from the local authority as a maintained school. They also receive funding to meet the additional responsibilities that are no longer provided for them by the local authority. This means that others schools in the London borough of Tower Hamlets would not be adversely affected if the Bethnal Green technology college converted to Academy status.

Solvents: Misuse

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department has had recent discussions with the devolved administrations on the funding of statistical information on the prevention of volatile substance abuse.

Simon Burns: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department is reviewing its existing public health information and intelligence functions and considering what data should be collected to inform the work of Public Health England. Decisions on the data requirements for a drugs early warning system, including the collection of Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA) mortality data in the future will need to be based on the outcome of this work. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association have made representations about the importance of collecting data on VSA.
	Spend by the Department on the collection and publication of statistics on VSA is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Spend (£) 
			 20011-12 0 
			 2010-11 0 
			 2009-10 49,218 
			 2008-09 49,218 
			 2007-08 49,218 
		
	
	There have been no recent discussions with the devolved Administrations concerning the funding of statistical information on VSA.
	Frank, the Government's drug information and advice service, provides young people with knowledge to help prevent drug use. The following table shows Frank campaign funding for the last three years for which figures are available. This excludes spending on the Frank helpline which is funded through a contract for various helplines in which the costs attributable to FRANK are not separately identified, but are estimated to be more than £800,000 per annum.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2008-09 6.97 
			 2009-10 5.07 
			 2010-11 0.19

Supply Teachers

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will take steps to ensure that agency worker regulations do not adversely affect the present level of flexibility available to supply teachers and local authority employers.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 6 September 2011
	The Agency Workers Regulations implement the requirements of EU Directive 2008/104/EC. The purpose of the directive is to ensure the protection of temporary agency workers by applying the principles of equal treatment so that after a qualifying period, they enjoy the same terms and conditions as teachers who have been recruited directly by schools and local authorities. The Department's guidance will help teachers, employers and agencies to implement the regulations so that present levels of flexibility are still available for supply teachers and employers.

Teachers: Foreign Nationals

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) science and (b) mathematics teachers were non-UK nationals in 2010-11.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Teaching Assistants

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teaching assistants were employed in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England in each year since 2010.

Nick Gibb: The following table gives the full-time equivalent number of teaching assistants employed in publicly funded schools in Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside Local Authority, the North East and England in each year from 1997 to 2010.
	Up until January 2010 these figures were collected through the School Census in January of each year. The School Workforce Census was run, in its complete form, for the first time in November 2010 and is the new source for these figures.
	Further school workforce statistics are available from the November 2010 School Workforce Statistical First Release which is available at the following web link:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000997/index.shtml
	Data for November 2011 are scheduled to be published in spring 2012.
	
		
			 Full-time equivalent teaching assistants in service in publicly funded schools, years: January each year, 1997 to 2010, coverage: Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside local authority, the North East government office region and England 
			  Jarrow constituency South Tyneside local authority North East government office region England 
			 From School Census     
			 January     
			 1997 90 160 2,870 60,600 
			 1998 90 160 2,990 65,560 
			 1999 100 160 3,150 69,700 
			 2000 100 180 3,450 79,050 
			 2001 140 250 4,280 95,020 
			 2002 200 350 4,010 105,440 
			 2003 150 280 5,070 121,270 
			 2004 230 420 5,660 132,240 
			 2005 240 440 6,470 147,250 
			 2006 260 470 6,980 153,510 
			 2007 260 440 7,490 163,800 
			 2008 280 460 8,100 176,990 
			 2009 290 500 8,520 183,700 
			 2010 280 490 8,870 194,230 
			      
			 From School Workforce Census(1)     
			 November     
			 2010 210 370 7,460 213,900 
			 (1) The national figure for November 2010 includes estimates for a small number of schools, including four in South Tyneside local authority, that did not make an approved School Workforce Census return. In addition an estimate was made in the national figure for a proportion of returns that did not include the FTE number of hours worked by teaching assistants that would otherwise be excluded. These estimates are not available at the constituency, local authority and regional level and have not been included. Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census (January 1997 to January 2010) and School Workforce Census (November 2010)

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what recent progress his Department has made on a national action plan to address the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's 2008 Concluding Observations on the UK's compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the UK's progress in realising the General Measures of Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
	(3)  whether he plans to bring forward proposals to incorporate into domestic legislation the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
	(4)  whether he has considered bringing forward legislation for England similar to the Welsh Assembly's Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the UK's compliance with Article 4 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child with regard to protecting children's rights to the maximum extent of available resources;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the feasibility of identifying the proportion of public spending allocated (a) directly and (b) indirectly to children in line with recommendation by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child;
	(7)  what assessment he has made of the level of knowledge of the principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child among (a) children, (b) parents, (c) childcare professionals and (d) education professionals; and whether he has made an assessment of the Government's compliance with the UK's commitments under Article 42 of the Convention;
	(8)  whether he has assessed the need for compulsory education on the principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as part of the National Curriculum;
	(9)  whether he has assessed the need for compulsory education on the principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as part of (a) initial training and (b) continuous professional development for foundation years and education professionals.

Tim Loughton: This Government are committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). On 6 December 2010, Official Report, columns 5-7WS, the Minister of State, Department for Education, the hon. Member for Brent Central (Sarah Teather), gave a commitment to Parliament that:
	“the Government would give due consideration to the UNCRC articles when making new policy and legislation”
	and that:
	“in doing so, we would always consider the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's recommendations but recognise that, like other state signatories, the UK Government and the UN committee may at times disagree on what compliance with certain articles entails”.
	This year marks the half-way point between the UN Committee's Concluding Observations from 2008 and our next reporting due in 2014. The UK Children's Commissioners are due to publish an independent report later this year which will provide an assessment of the UK's progress. The Government will want to consider their conclusions and plan next steps in light of that report.
	Each of the UK jurisdictions is approaching implementation of the UNCRC in a way which reflects its own local circumstances and priorities. In England, the detailed review of the Children's Commissioner's remit and functions marked significant progress. By accepting the review recommendations, the Government have signalled that they intend to strengthen the role of the Children's Commissioner to promote the rights of children and young people in England.
	There are no plans to incorporate UNCRC into domestic legislation. In general the UK Government does not incorporate treaties and international conventions directly into UK law. There is no requirement in the UNCRC that it be incorporated into a single piece of legislation. Our approach to deliver the UNCRC outcomes is through a mixture of legislative and policy initiatives. The analysis published by Government in March 2010, in response to the report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights of 20 November 2009 demonstrated how existing legislation underpins implementation of the UNCRC in England.
	The Welsh Assembly Government has taken the step of introducing a duty on its Ministers to have due regard to the UNCRC. I will be taking a very close interest in how this develops. However, the UK Government's priority is to raise awareness of the UNCRC and introduce practical measures to promote and protect children's rights.
	It is not possible to provide accurate information on the proportion of the public spending allocated either directly or indirectly to children. This is due to a number of factors, including the devolved nature of decision-making on spending priorities and differing ways in which budgets are allocated. However, the Department for Education's planned expenditure on children and schools is £56.1 billion in 2011-12 compared to expenditure of £45.9 billion in 2006-07.
	No assessment has been made of the level of knowledge of UNCRC among children, parents, child care and education professionals. The Department's website publishes information about UNCRC principles and provisions. To support awareness-raising among children, the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award is a way in which schools can demonstrate, through self evaluation and external assessment, that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is embedded in their ethos and curriculum. £500,000 was provided by Government over three years to March 2010 to UNICEF to support the rollout of the Award.
	Learning about rights and responsibilities currently features within the National Curriculum as part of the Programme of Study for citizenship. The Department for Education is undertaking a review of the National Curriculum in England. The purpose of this review is to reform the National Curriculum and restore its original purpose so that it sets out only the essential knowledge, concepts and processes that children should be expected to acquire in key subjects during the course of their school career. This reduction in prescription will free up teachers to use their professionalism to design and plan lessons that inspire their pupils, and also give schools much greater scope to innovate in how they teach about important topics such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
	It is not anticipated that compulsory education on the principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child will form part of either the initial training or continuous professional development for early education and child care professionals. However, candidates undertaking training and assessment in order to attain Early Years Professional Status are required to demonstrate that they have a sound working knowledge and understanding of current legal requirements, national policies and guidance on health and safety, safeguarding and promoting the well being of children.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Employers' Liability

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding his Department has allocated for the Employers Liability Insurance Bureau in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The issues raised by an Employers Liability Insurance Bureau are complex and to ensure we get this right we have been in active discussions with all stakeholders since the public consultation closed in May 2010. We are still carefully considering how to progress the matter to achieve an appropriate outcome and we will bring forward our proposals, which will include financial allocations, in due course.

Employment and Support Allowance

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in receipt of employment and support allowance or its predecessor benefits who have been passed to Working Links in each quarter of (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: During 2009-10 and 2010-11, claimants of employment and support allowance and its predecessor benefits, who lived in the Jobcentre Plus districts of:
	Coventry and Warwickshire
	Gloucester, Wiltshire and Swindon
	Leicestershire and Northamptonshire
	West of England
	North East Yorkshire and the Humber
	could be referred from Jobcentre Plus to Working Links via the Provider-Led Pathways to Work programme, once they had undertaken an initial work-focused interview with Jobcentre Plus.
	The following table shows the number of mandatory and voluntary starts to Provider-Led Pathways to Work in each quarter of 2009-10 and 2010-11, for customers who go on to start with a provider after being referred by Jobcentre Plus following their initial work-focused interview(1):
	
		
			 Quarter of starting PL Pathways with Jobcentre Plus Starts for all providers in GB Working Links 
			 2009   
			 1 April to 30 June 52,140 6,570 
			 1 July to 30 September 48,040 7,100 
			 1 October to 31 December 47,100 6,600 
			    
			 2010   
			 1 January to 31 March 23,810 3,700 
			 1 April to 30 June 23,520 3,320 
			 1 July to 30 September 19,770 3,760 
			 1 October to 31 December 14,820 2,850 
			    
			 2011   
			 1 January to 31 January 520 20 
			 Total 229,720 33,930 
		
	
	Official statistics are routinely published for employment programmes such as Pathways to Work. Official statistics on Pathways to Work starts and job entries are currently available up to January 2011, and are published at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=ib_ref_p2w
	(1) Source: DWP Provider-Led Pathways database. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, totals may not sum due to rounding.

Housing Benefit

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has considered enabling self-contained studios and bedsits to qualify for the local housing allowance shared accommodation rate.

Steve Webb: The shared accommodation rate limits the level of financial help available from housing benefit rather than deciding what type of property a person can live in.
	The one bedroom shared accommodation rate is based on the rents of one bedroom properties, excluding anything self contained but including all other one room lettings. While the level at which it is set will be influenced by the rents of bedsits, the rents of studio flats would have no influence as they are self-contained.
	However, this does not mean that all self-contained accommodation will be unaffordable. Some cheaper self-contained studios or bedsits may have rents that are at or below the shared accommodation rate, and others may be affordable if the claimant is able to make up any shortfall from other sources of income.

Housing Benefit

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of single people aged 25 to 34 who are not in receipt of housing benefit to live in shared accommodation.

Steve Webb: It is estimated that 41% of non-student, single people, aged 25 to 34, who are renting in the private sector, have no children and have not declared housing benefit receipt are living in shared accommodation.
	Notes
	1. Shared accommodation refers to households where there is no clear head, for example unrelated adults sharing a house or flat on an equal basis. This analysis therefore excludes other forms of sharing, for example lodging in an owner-occupied house, or adult children living with their parents.
	2. Housing benefit receipt has been analysed at household level, so some individuals not claiming housing benefit, but sharing accommodation with benefit claimants, have been treated as if they are in receipt. Only a small proportion of non-recipients share accommodation with claimants, so this does not have a significant impact on the estimate.
	3. “Private renting” includes both furnished and unfurnished tenancies, but excludes rent free cases.
	4. The Family Resources Survey is a nationally representative sample of approximately 23,000 households in Great Britain. Data for 2008-09 were collected between April 2008 and March 2009.
	5. The Family Resources Survey is known to under-record benefit receipt so the estimates presented should be treated with caution.
	6. The figures from the Family Resources Survey are based on a sample of households which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the Family Resources Survey to Government Office Region population by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error.
	7. Figures have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.
	Source
	DWP analysis of 2008/09 Family Resources Survey

Housing Benefit

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many working households were claiming housing benefit in each local authority area in Great Britain in (a) June 2010 and (b) May 2011.

Steve Webb: The requested information can only be provided for non-passported housing benefit recipients. While there may be small numbers of households in receipt of a passported benefit who are also in employment this information is not regularly recorded.
	A copy of the available information has been placed in the Library.

Jobcentre Plus

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether his Department publishes information on the number of people placed into a job by each Jobcentre Plus office which they hold for more than (a) six months and (b) one year;
	(2)  whether his Department publishes information on the number of people placed into employment by each Jobcentre Plus office;
	(3)  what methodology his Department uses to determine the efficacy of each Jobcentre Plus office;
	(4)  what recent estimate he has made of the average cost of placing someone in a job through Jobcentre Plus in the last year for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus does not publish information on the number of people placed into employment by each Jobcentre Plus office, nor does it publish information on the number of people placed into a job by each Jobcentre Plus office which they hold for more than (a) six months and (b) one year.
	The main measure of labour market performance is the rate at which people leave jobseeker's allowance, income support and employment and support allowance and move into employment. The measure supports the Department for Work and Pensions 2011-15 Business Plan and the coalition Government's structural reform priorities. Jobcentre Plus reports on monthly progress against this measure across all levels of the business. The data will be published at both a national and Jobcentre Plus district level early next year.
	The measure of people moving into work is assessed using employment data from HMRC. This provides useful trend information but is not a complete picture of all employments, and is not robust at a local level. For the very large numbers of Jobcentre Plus claimants, it is not cost-effective to measure the number of people each Jobcentre places into employment, nor what happens to them after they have been successful in finding work. Jobcentre managers therefore focus on maximising off-flow rates from benefit, and also receive supporting information about potential destinations from benefit.
	The Department for Work and Pensions does not have information showing the average cost of placing a claimant in a job through Jobcentre Plus. As part of the DWP business plan, the unit cost of Jobcentre Plus labour market support per customer has been published. We are currently exploring ways to develop and present cost per outcome measures.

Jobcentre Plus

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how his Department measures the success of individual Jobcentre Plus offices in finding sustainable employment for jobseekers.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions does not measure the success of individual Jobcentre Plus offices in finding sustainable employment for jobseekers.
	The main measure of Jobcentre Plus labour market performance is the rate at which people leave jobseeker's allowance, income support and employment and support allowance and move into employment. The measure supports the Department for Work and Pensions 2011-15 Business Plan and the coalition Government's structural reform priorities.
	Jobcentre Plus reports on monthly progress against this measure across all levels of the business.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many sanctions applied to claimants of jobseeker's allowance have been challenged by the claimant since 1997; what proportion of challenges were upheld in favour of the claimant; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Data on the volumes of referrals made to Jobcentre Plus Decision Makers for consideration of sanctions is only available from April 2000. Information in the following table shows the proportion of decisions determined in favour of the claimant both before challenge and after challenge.
	The source of the information is DWP Information Directorate: Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database. Figures are published at:
	http://83.244.183.180/sanction/sanction/LIVE/tabtool.html
	The Tabulation Tool and instructions on how to use it can be found on the departmental website here:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html
	
		
			 Referrals made for fixed, varied and entitlement decisions (thousands) by reason for referral 
			  All decisions Non-adverse Proportion of decisions in favour of the claimant 
			  Appeals Reconsiderations Appeals Reconsiderations Appeals (%) Reconsiderations (%) 
			 Fixed length       
			 Total 12.18 124.39 1.60 66.07 13 53 
			        
			 2000-01 0.45 4.42 0.05 2.05 11 46 
			 2001-02 0.40 4.40 0.01 1.92 3 44 
			 2002-03 0.45 5.18 0.07 2.20 16 42 
			 2003-04 0.49 5.50 0.14 2.30 29 42 
			 2004-05 0.43 5.15 0.05 2.17 12 42 
			 2005-06 0.51 5.49 0.08 2.27 16 41 
			 2006-07 0.58 6.27 0.08 2.75 14 44 
			 2007-08 0.77 7.58 0.13 3.40 17 45 
			 2008-09 0.85 7.35 0.15 3.16 18 43 
			 2009-10 1.67 15.45 0.21 8.49 13 55 
			 2010-11(1) 5.56 57.55 0.56 35.34 10 61 
			        
			 Varied length       
			 Total 29.55 447.48 4.67 239.69 16 54 
			        
			 2000-01 3.34 40.83 0.49 20.90 15 51 
			 2001-02 3.38 44.21 0.55 22.44 16 51 
			 2002-03 3.38 53.59 0.58 27.22 17 51 
			 2003-04 2.74 48.40 0.49 25.29 18 52 
			 2004-05 2.40 45.37 0.42 24.60 17 54 
			 2005-06 2.62 39.32 0.42 21.40 16 54 
			 2006-07 2.29 31.31 0.33 17.83 14 57 
			 2007-08 2.34 33.45 0.40 18.61 17 56 
			 2008-09 2.51 36.03 0.40 20.11 16 56 
		
	
	
		
			 2009-10 2.33 32.08 0.30 17.92 13 56 
			 2010-11(1) 2.29 42.96 0.31 23.33 14 54 
			        
			 Entitlement decisions       
			 Total 17.14 79.68 3.23 38.62 19 48 
			        
			 2000-01 0.93 4.87 0.14 2.30 15 47 
			 2001-02 0.69 4.33 0.11 2.17 16 50 
			 2002-03 0.72 4.64 0.14 2.44 19 53 
			 2003-04 0.72 4.13 0.11 2.01 15 49 
			 2004-05 0.64 4.08 0.09 1.98 14 49 
			 2005-06 1.01 4.55 0.14 2.18 14 48 
			 2006-07 1.65 5.93 0.30 2.78 18 47 
			 2007-08 2.46 8.46 0.56 3.75 23 44 
			 2008-09 2.65 9.05 0.58 4.27 22 47 
			 2009-10 3.02 13.80 0.57 7.37 19 53 
			 2010-11(1) 2.70 15.82 0.50 7.32 19 46 
			 (1 )To January.  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten and displayed in thousands. Some additional disclosure control has been applied. Totals may not sum due to rounding method used.  2. Percentages are to the nearest unit.  3. Varied length sanctions are where the JSA claimant has their payment temporarily suspended for anything up to 26 weeks.  4. Fixed length sanctions are where the JSA claimant has their payment temporarily suspended for either 2, 4 or 26 weeks.  5. Entitlement decisions are where the JSA claimant has their entitlement to JSA ended.  6. This information is published at the DWP website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp  7. Data are shown in financial years with 2010-11 containing data up to January 2011.  8. Reason for referral Sanctions for Failure to Attend Back to Work Sessions have been applied since April 2009. Flexible New Deal scheme sanctions have been applied in some parts of Great Britain since October 2009. Prior to April 2010, a Failure to Attend Advisory Interview attracted an entitlement decision. Since then, it has attracted a fixed length sanction of between one and two weeks.  9. JSA Sanction Data is available from April 2000.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate: JSA Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many sanctions have been applied to jobseeker's allowance claimants since 1997; what the type of sanction was; what financial penalties were imposed; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Data relating to both the number and the type of sanctions applied to jobseeker's allowance are only available from April 2000. The available information is in the tables.
	All adverse decisions lead to cessation of or reduction in the payment of jobseeker's allowance to the claimants concerned. The amount of penalty in each case depends on the circumstances of that claimant. Data are not kept relating to the amount of financial penalties incurred by these claimants.
	The source of the information is DWP Information Directorate: Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database. Figures are published at:
	http://83.244.183.180/sanction/sanction/LIVE/tabtool.html
	The Tabulation Tool and instructions on how to use it can be found on the departmental website here:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html
	
		
			 Referrals made for fixed, varied and entitlement dec  isions by reason for referral—  all decisions 
			 Fixed Decisions 
			 Thousand 
			   Reason for referral 
			  Total Giving up place on training scheme/employment programme Losing place on training   scheme/employment programme due to misconduct Refusal of place on training scheme/employment programme Neglect to avail of place on training scheme/employment programme 
			       
			 Total 1,655.52 74.74 171.79 8.97 8.60 
			       
			 2000-01 69.68 8.96 13.11 1.59 2.07 
			 2001-02 67.33 6.73 12.12 0.76 0.65 
			 2002-03 69.81 7.41 13.48 0.64 0.45 
			 2003-04 63.98 6.36 12.66 0.68 0.35 
			 2004-05 58.47 5.46 11.57 0.72 0.30 
			 2005-06 57.01 4.96 10.92 0.52 0.31 
		
	
	
		
			 2006-07 79.78 6.97 15.69 0.62 0.75 
			 2007-08 100.60 8.82 21.08 0.81 0.99 
			 2008-09 104.32 8.33 27.27 0.80 0.87 
			 2009-10 213.46 5.72 20.66 0.61 0.51 
			 2010-11 (to January) 771.04 4.98 13.18 1.24 1.39 
		
	
	
		
			 Fixed Decisions 
			 Thousand 
			  Reason for referral 
			  Failure to attend place on training scheme/employment programme Failure to attend advisory interview (post April 2010) Refusal to carry ou  t   a JS direction Failure to attend Back to Work Session Missing 
			 Total 584.72 388.01 87.28 331.40 * 
			       
			 2000-01 34.40 * 9.59 * * 
			 2001-02 39.66 * 7.44 * * 
			 2002-03 40.49 * 7.29 * * 
			 2003-04 37.09 * 6.80 * * 
			 2004-05 33.04 * 7.40 * * 
			 2005-06 32.97 * 7.31 * * 
			 2006-07 47.63 * 8.11 * * 
			 2007-08 60.69 * 8.21 * * 
			 2008-09 59.58 * 7.45 * * 
			 2009-10 55.75 * 7.76 122.43 * 
			 2010-11 (to January) 143.39 387.99 9.93 208.98 * 
		
	
	
		
			 Varied Decisions 
			 Thousand 
			   Reason for referral 
			  Total Reason for Discharge from HM forces Leaving employment voluntarily Lost employment through misconduct Neglect to avail of an opportunity of employment Refusal of employment Missing 
			 Total 3,783.21 0.42 2,355.71 692.63 1.80 732.65 * 
			         
			 2000-01 489.68 0.01 336.36 80.51 0.41 72.38 * 
			 2001-02 449.44 0.03 268.49 71.21 0.21 109.46 * 
			 2002-03 455.75 0.01 270.99 71.22 0.20 113.24 * 
			 2003-04 359.40 0.02 228.44 59.27 0.13 71.49 * 
			 2004-05 316.27 0.02 204.74 54.28 0.13 57.10 * 
			 2005-06 277.17 0.02 186.90 53.18 0.09 36.95 * 
			 2006-07 254.99 0.04 184.98 54.95 0.06 14.94 * 
			 2007-08 276.35 * 189.06 58.77 0.07 28.40 * 
			 2008-09 308.61 * 204.05 71.44 0.07 33.01 * 
			 2009-10 276.08 0.01 152.77 66.42 0.10 56.75 * 
			 2010-11 (to January) 319.52 0.03 128.93 51.35 0.31 138.88 * 
		
	
	
		
			 Entitlement Decisions 
			 Thousand 
			  Reason for referral 
			  Total Actively seeking employment Availability questions Failure to attend advisory interview (pre April 2010)  /  Failure to produce signed declaration JSAg questions Trade disputes Joint claim exemption Missing 
			 Total 2.845.13 432.50 186.61 2,202.67 13.01 0.60 9.73 * 
			          
			 2000-01 248.76 16.51 21.03 209.36 1.80 0.02 0.06 * 
			 2001-02 209.93 11.15 15.23 180.88 1.26 0.12 1.27 * 
		
	
	
		
			 2002-03 213.89 9.46 14.65 187.34 1.13 0.01 1.26 * 
			 2003-04 187.89 7.94 12.82 165.27 0.66 * 1.03 * 
			 2004-05 184.06 7.98 12.42 161.94 0.91 * 0.79 * 
			 2005-06 212.81 9.43 14.11 187.22 0.98 0.36 0.71 * 
			 2006-07 260.76 30.96 15.11 212.81 1.13 0.04 0.67 * 
			 2007-08 310.78 57.91 15.87 234.99 1.31 0.01 0.67 * 
			 2008-09 354.39 57.93 16.32 277.91 1.24 * 0.96 * 
			 2009-10 482.57 79.90 23.58 376.68 1.09 * 1.28 * 
			 2010-11 (to January) 179.28 143.35 25.42 8.26 1.24 * 0.99 * 
			 “*” denotes nil or negligible. Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and displayed in thousands. Some additional disclosure control has been applied. Totals may not sum due to rounding method used. 2. Varied length sanctions are where the JSA claimant has their payment temporarily suspended for anything up to 26 weeks 3. Fixed length sanctions are where the JSA claimant has their payment temporarily suspended for either two, four or 26 weeks. 4. Entitlement Decisions are where the JSA claimant has their entitlement lo JSA ended. 5 This information is published at the DWP website: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool 6. Data is shown in financial years with 2010-11 containing data up to January 2011. 7. Reason for referral Sanctions for Failure to Attend Back to Work Sessions have been applied since April 2009. Flexible New Deal scheme sanctions have been applied in some parts of Great Britain since October 2009. Prior to April 2010. a Failure to Attend Advisory Interview attracted an entitlement decision. Since then, it has attracted a Fixed length sanction of between one and two weeks. Source: DWP Information Directorate: JSA Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database

Pensions: Inflation

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has estimated the average rate of inflation experienced by pensioner households.

Steve Webb: There is no official estimate of the average rate of inflation experienced by all pensioner households.
	The pensioner prices indices produced by the ONS are based solely on households who receive 75% or more of their income from the state, equating to around 20% of retired pensioner households according to ONS. Therefore those indices do not reflect the entire pensioner population.
	As variants of the RPI measure of inflation, the pensioner indices also employ the same methodology, which does not allow for a substitution effect and which arguably overstate inflation as a result.

Pensions: Inflation

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the effect of inflation on pensioner poverty.

Steve Webb: The most commonly used measure of pensioner poverty relates to those with incomes below 60% of contemporary median income, after housing costs.
	An alternative measure of poverty uses the 1998-99 median income held constant in real terms, after housing costs. This is often referred to as absolute poverty. The absolute measure gives an indication of how many pensioners are in poverty compared to 1998-99, after taking account of the effects of price inflation.
	Estimates of both measures are published in the Households Below Average Income series. The following table the number and percentage of pensioners in the UK in relative and absolute low income, after housing costs for the ‘anchor’ year of 1998-99 and the three most recent years for which figures are available.
	The table shows that since 1998-99 the level of absolute poverty has fallen by 21 percentage points (2.1 million pensioners) to a historic low of 8%.
	
		
			 Table: Number and proportion of pensioners in the United Kingdom in low income according to relative and absolute measures, after housing costs 
			  Relative low income Absolute low income 
			  Number (million) Percentage Number (million) Percentage 
			 1998-99 2.9 29 2.9 29 
			 2007-08 2.0 18 1.0 9 
			 2008-09 1.8 16 1.0 9 
			 2009-10 1.8 16 0.9 8 
			      
			 Change 1998-99 to 2009-10 -1.1 -13 -2.1 -21 
			 Change 2008-09 to 2009-10 0.0 0 -0.1 -1 
		
	
	The Government recognise the pressures that those on fixed incomes such as pensioners face when prices increase.
	We have restored the earnings link for the basic state pension and given a “triple guarantee” so that the basic state pension will increase by the highest of the growth in average earnings, price increases (as measured by the consumer prices index) or 2.5%. The restoration of the earnings link and the triple guarantee will benefit both existing and future pensioners by providing a more generous state pension, giving a solid financial foundation from the state, which is essential as part of the pensions system. We also have a long-term commitment to uprating the standard minimum guarantee aspect of pension credit at least in line with earnings.
	We are protecting key support for older people: free eye tests; free NHS prescription charges; free bus passes; free television licences for those aged 75 and over and winter fuel payments will remain exactly as budgeted for by the previous Government. We have permanently increased the cold weather payment from £8.50 to £25.
	Notes:
	1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
	2. In the absolute measure of poverty the low income threshold is uprated by the retail prices index excluding housing costs (ONS series CHAZ) from the 1998-99 'anchor' year.
	3. Net disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax, payments, national insurance contributions, council tax/domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes.
	4. Figures have been presented on an after housing cost basis. For after housing costs, housing costs are deducted from income.
	5. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.
	6. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year.
	7. Numbers of pensioners have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 pensioners.
	8. Proportions of pensioners in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.
	9. Changes between periods are calculated based on unrounded figures and then rounded to the nearest 100,000. Therefore they may differ from the difference between the rounded figures.

Pensions: Inflation

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of people who will opt out of automatic enrolment in each year from 2012 to 2017; and what effect opting out will have on the cost to the public purse of automatic enrolment.

Steve Webb: In 2009, the Department commissioned a nationally representative survey of individuals eligible for automatic-enrolment to measure their intended response. The results from the survey on expected opt-out are presented in the following table:
	
		
			 Participation Proportion (%) 
			 Definitely stay in 31 
			 Probably stay in 34 
			 Probably choose to opt out 12 
			 Definitely choose to opt out 9 
			 It depends 15 
		
	
	If opt-out were 0%, this would increase tax-relief resulting from additional pension saving by an estimated £650 million between 2012-13 and 2016-17 (at 2011-12 earnings levels). There would also be a relatively marginal increase in the administrative costs associated with operating NEST (the National Employment Savings Trust).

Social Security Benefits: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people with musculoskeletal conditions living in each (a) region of England and (b) country in Great Britain were in receipt of (i) employment and support allowance and (ii) disability living allowance in (A) 2008, (B) 2009 and (C) 2010.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is provided in the following tables:
	
		
			 The number of employment and support allowance (ESA) and incapacity benefit (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) recipients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue as main disabling condition by country in Great Britain and region in England—November 2008 to November 2010 
			  November 2008 November 2009 November 2010 
			  IB/SDA ESA IB/SDA ESA IB/SDA ESA 
			 Region       
			 North East 31,200 n/a 26,580 n/a 23,480 4,970 
			 North West 67,160 n/a 57,810 n/a 51,670 12,34 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 41,240 n/a 35,450 n/a 32,130 7,850 
			 East Midlands 33,790 n/a 29,170 n/a 26,450 5,980 
			 West Midlands 44,600 n/a 38,390 n/a 34,650 8,620 
			 East of England 30,470 n/a 26,140 n/a 23,700 6,760 
			 London 44,820 n/a 38,800 n/a 34,950 11,450 
			 South East 36,060 n/a 30,780 n/a 28,100 8,960 
			 South West 30,690 n/a 26,610 n/a 24,210 5,950 
			        
			 Country       
			 England 360,040 n/a 309,720 n/a 279,340 72,880 
			 Wales 37,010 n/a 31,890 n/a 28,660 5,870 
			 Scotland 42,600 n/a 36,230 n/a 32,200 7,480 
			 Unknown/Abroad 2,800 n/a 2,530 n/a 2,230 60 
			 n/a = not applicable Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. To qualify for incapacity benefit, claimants have to undertake a medical assessment of incapacity for work called a personal capability assessment. Under the employment support allowance regime, new claimants have to undergo the work capability assessment. From April 2011 incapacity benefit recipients will begin also to undertake this assessment. The medical condition recorded on the claim form does not itself confer entitlement to IB or ESA. So, for example, a decision on entitlement for a customer claiming IB or ESA on the basis of mental and behavioural disorders would be based on their ability to carry out the range of activities assessed by the personal/work capability assessment. 3. incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance from October 2008. 4. Figures by medical condition are not available for employment support allowance prior to 2010. 5. Data include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. ‘credits only cases’. Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% WPLS 
		
	
	
		
			 The number of disability living allowance (DLA) recipients with musculoskeletal conditions as main disabling condition by country in Great Britain and region in England—November 2008 to November 2010 
			  November 2008 November 2009 November 2010 
			 Region    
			 North East 71,000 70,800 70,300 
			 North West 180,900 182,300 181,100 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 111,800 111,700 110,300 
			 East Midlands 86,000 86,000 85,600 
			 West Midlands 113,800 113,600 113,400 
			 East of England 68,800 68,800 69,200 
			 London 87,900 90,500 91,100 
			 South East 85,700 88,100 89,900 
			 South West 73,000 74,200 74,800 
			     
			 Country    
			 England 878,700 886,000 885,600 
			 Wales 105,000 104,600 104,400 
			 Scotland 106,700 107,900 108,500 
			 Unknown/Abroad (1)100 (2)— (2)— 
			 (1) Figures 500 and under. These figures are subject to a high degree of sampling error and should only be used as a guide. (2) Denotes nil or negligible. Notes: 1. The preferred statistics on benefits are now derived from 100% data sources. However, the 5% sample data still provide some detail not yet available from the 100% data sources, in particular, more complete information on the disabling condition of DLA claimants. DWP recommends that, where the detail is only available on the 5% sample data, or disabling condition is required, the proportions derived should be scaled up to the overall 100% total for the benefit. These figures 'have been scaled up to the overall total. 2. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 100. 3. Figures show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Where more than one disability is present only the main disabling condition is recorded. Source: DWP Information Directorate 5% sample

Telephones

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much revenue was obtained by his Department from telephone calls from members of the public to his Department's 0800, 0845 and 0870 telephone numbers in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not receive any revenue through the use of 0800, 0845 and 0870 telephone numbers.

Working Tax Credit: Parents

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to inform couples who claim working tax credit on the basis of between 16 and 24 hours work a week that their entitlement to working tax credit will be ended on 5 April 2012 unless their hours of work are over 24 a week.

David Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
	HM Revenue and Customs plans to write to couples with children, currently claiming working tax credit, who are most likely to be affected by the changes announced in the comprehensive spending review. The letter will explain the changes to the working hours conditions and advise them what steps they can take to ensure they continue to be entitled. Letters will be sent later this year.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many (a) adults and (b) children were admitted to accident and emergency departments in each hospital trust in the west midlands and Warwickshire as a result of an assault with a sharp or blunt object;
	(2)  how many (a) adults and (b) children were admitted to accident and emergency departments in each hospital trust in the west midlands and Warwickshire as a result of intentional self-harming or self-poisoning in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many (a) adults and (b) children were admitted to accident and emergency departments in each hospital trust in the west midlands and Warwickshire as a result of firework-related injury in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held by the Department. The National Health Service Information Centre for health and social care provides Accident and Emergency Hospital Episode Statistics data for the years 2007-08 to 2009-10. This document has been placed in the Library.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many (a) adults and (b) children were admitted to accident and emergency departments in each hospital trust in the West Midlands and Warwickshire as a result of drowning and submersion whilst in a swimming pool or natural water in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many (a) adults and (b) children were admitted to accident and emergency departments in each hospital trust in the West Midlands and Warwickshire as a result of evidence of alcohol involvement determined by (i) level of intoxication and (ii) blood alcohol level in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many (a) adults and (b) children were admitted to accident and emergency departments in each hospital trust in the West Midlands and Warwickshire as a result of attacks by dogs in each of the last five years;
	(4)  what estimate he has made for the redundancy costs of staff of Coventry Primary Care Trust who will be eligible for employment by GP commissioning consortia.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held by the Department.

Asthma: Ipswich

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients with asthma have been seen by a consultant at Ipswich Hospital in each year since 2000; and how many such patients were under the age of 16 years.

Paul Burstow: A count of finished consultant episodes where the primary diagnosis was asthma for all patients, aged 15 and under, and 16 and over, at Ipswich Hospitals NHS Trust is shown in the following table. This does not include patients treated in an out-patient setting for asthma, nor does it include in-patients where asthma was recorded as a secondary diagnosis.
	
		
			 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 Finished consultant episodes 
			  All Ages 15 and under 16+ 
			 2000-01 469 169 300 
			 2001-02 482 198 284 
			 2002-03 545 190 355 
			 2003-04 546 169 377 
			 2004-05 510 190 320 
			 2005-06 418 167 251 
			 2006-07 410 157 253 
			 2007-08 337 107 230 
			 2008-09 418 151 267 
			 2009-10 437 106 331 
			 Notes: 1. Finished consultant episode (FCE): FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. 2. Primary diagnosis: The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. ICD-10 codes for asthma are as follows: J45.0 Predominantly allergic asthma J45.1 Nonallergic asthma J45.8 Mixed asthma J45.9 Asthma, unspecified J46.X Status asthmaticus 3. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. 4. Assessing growth through time: HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. 5. In-patients: In-patients are patients who are admitted to hospital and occupy a bed, including both admissions where an overnight stay is planned and day cases. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics. The Information Centre for health and social care

Asthma: Suffolk

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each district in Suffolk have been diagnosed with asthma since 2000.

Paul Burstow: Information is not available in the format requested.
	The national Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) records the number of people on general practice registers with asthma. Patients may have been diagnosed at any time. These register counts are available for the last six financial years, beginning in 2004-05, by the primary care trusts (PCTs) covering the county of Suffolk. The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of patients on the asthma registers of practices within PCTs in Suffolk 
			  Primary care trust  
			 Financial year Central Suffolk Ipswich Suffolk Coastal Suffolk West Suffolk  (1) Total 
			 2004-05 6,732 10,617 6,013 15,271 n/a 38,633 
			 2005-06 6,680 10,352 6,253 15,281 n/a 38,566 
			 2006-07 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38,676 38,676 
			 2007-08 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38,561 38,561 
			 2008-09 n/a n/a n/a n/a 39,950 39,950 
			 2009-10 n/a n/a n/a n/a 40,004 40,004 
			 (1) From 2006-07. Notes: 1. In October 2006 there was a re-organisation of PCTs and the existing PCTs in Suffolk were amalgamated into one, Suffolk PCT. 2. The asthma register covers patients with asthma excluding patients with asthma who have been prescribed no asthma-related drugs in the previous 12 months. 3. QOF was introduced as part of the new general medical services (GMS) contract on 1 April 2004. Participation by practices in the QOF is voluntary, though participation rates are very high, with most personal medical services (PMS) practices also taking part. 4. The published QOF information was derived from the Quality Management Analysis System (QMAS), a national information technology system developed by NHS Connecting for Health. QMAS uses data from general practices to calculate individual practices' QOF achievement. 5. QMAS captures the number of patients on the various disease registers for each practice. The number of patients on the clinical registers can be used to calculate measures of disease prevalence, expressing the number of patients on each register as a percentage of the number of patients on practices' lists. 6. Patients will only contribute to the figures in QOF if they are registered with a general practice participating in QOF. Not all practices participate in QOF and some participate in only some parts (especially PMS practices, which are paid under different arrangements for providing services which are part of QOF for GMS practices). Most indicators in QOF have rules that allow for patients to be excluded (e.g. patient refuses treatment) and so the denominator for a given indicator may be less than the number of patients on the register for that disease. It should be noted that some indicators have age limits and so exclude some patients on the register. Source: QOF, The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Bladder Cancer

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness of the symptoms of bladder cancer.

Simon Burns: Improving public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and encouraging people to visit their general practitioner when they have symptoms is a key ambition of ‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer’, published on 12 January 2011.
	On 28 June 2011, we wrote to all primary care trusts to invite bids for funding to run local awareness campaigns on three issues, which included the symptom of blood in the urine. This symptom is common to a number of cancers, including bladder cancer.
	We expect the projects to run from early 2012 and are in the process of finalising decisions on all trust bids.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) mobile and (b) fixed breast screening units there are in the (i) NHS and (ii) private healthcare sector.

Simon Burns: Each of the 81 local breast screening programmes has at least one static unit but some centres have more than one location; each with an x-ray set. According to data supplied by NHS Cancer Screening Programmes there are 312 x-ray sets in static locations and 152 sets in 151 mobile units.
	The Department does not hold data on the number of x-ray sets maintained for symptomatic services and it does not collect information regarding the number of sets within the private sector.

Diseases

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will represent the Government at the UN high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases in September 2011.

Anne Milton: The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley) will represent the Government at the United Nations high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases in September 2011. He will be supported by officials from the Department of Health and the Department for International Development. The decision on the composition of this small team has taken into account how best to represent the United Kingdom's interests, given the domestic and global priority attached to tackling non-communicable diseases, as well as the need for the efficient use of taxpayers' money in funding overseas trips.

Health and Social Care Bill

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to bring forward amendments to the (a) Designated Services and (b) Insolvency and Health Special Administration chapter of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Simon Burns: Amendments to the designation and insolvency elements of the Bill were brought forward at Commons Report stage where Parliament had the opportunity to debate them and put them into the Bill.

Health Research Authority

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) duties, (b) budget and (c) key personnel are of the Health Research Authority.

Simon Burns: The Health Research Authority will be established this year as a Special Health Authority with the National Research Ethics Service as its core. It will be responsible for appointing, supporting and managing research ethics committees. It will also work closely with other bodies, such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, to create a unified approval process and promote proportionate standards for compliance and inspection within a consistent national system of research governance. The planned budget for the Health Research Authority is £10.1 million. It will have 25 head office posts and approximately 100 further staff in National Research Ethics Service regional centres.

HIV Infection

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements there are for (a) GPs, (b) dentists, (c) nurses and (d) social care workers to receive training on HIV; and what (i) undergraduate and (ii) postgraduate courses provide HIV-specific training for healthcare professionals in each such category.

Anne Milton: The content and standard of healthcare training is the responsibility of the independent regulatory bodies for the healthcare professions.
	Through their role as the custodians of quality standards in education and practice, the profession regulators are committed to ensuring high quality patient care delivered by high quality health professionals and that healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to deal with the problems and conditions they will encounter in practice, including HIV and AIDS.
	The House of Lords ad hoc Select Committee on HIV and AIDS issued a report on the 1 September 2011. The report includes 60 recommendations some of which include a review of certain aspects of training and education of healthcare professionals. The Department will respond to the recommendations raised in the report later this year.

IVF

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cycles of IVF each primary care trust offers to eligible couples under the age of 40 years.

Anne Milton: This information is no longer collected centrally.
	The Department has previously published this information in their report “Primary Care Trust survey—provision of IVF in England 2008”, which has been placed in the Library and is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_101074.pdf
	Primary care trusts are well aware of their statutory commissioning responsibilities and the need to base commissioning decisions on clinical evidence and discussions with local general practitioner commissioners, secondary care clinicians and providers, having regard to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence fertility guidelines, including the recommendation that up to three cycles of in vitro fertilisation are offered to eligible couples where the woman is aged between 23 and 39.

KPMG

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contracts KPMG currently holds with his Department.

Simon Burns: The Department holds the following information on its central systems about current contracts with KPMG LLP.
	
		
			 Contract description Approval/start date Maximum contract value (£) 
			 Services concerning accounting and audit at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust 23 March 2011 105,000 
			 Accountancy services concerning transition due diligence at the Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust 1 July 2011 105,000 
			 Accountancy services concerning transition due diligence at the Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust 17 August 2011 102,129

Learning Disability

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) Health and Wellbeing Boards and (b) GP consortia identify the (i) needs and (ii) number of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in their locality; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: Local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and local communities, through the health and wellbeing board, will have a duty to involve users and the public when developing the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The JSNA should include a comprehensive analysis of health and social care needs in their local area including those of vulnerable groups such as people with multiple learning difficulties.
	Clinical commissioning groups and local authorities will, subject to the passage of the Bill, also be under a duty to agree a joint health and wellbeing strategy which will inform their commissioning plans.
	In the development of the JSNA and the joint health and wellbeing strategy, the health and wellbeing board will be able to consider how to help services join up around individuals, rather than isolated services, which can particularly improve the experience of the people with needs that can require action across multiple services.

Monitor: Finance

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to publish information on Monitor's expected operating budget in the first financial year following enactment of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Simon Burns: The Government published a revised impact assessment on 8 September 2011 for the Health and Social Care Bill following the Bill's introduction to the House of Lords. The impact assessment contains information on the expected costs of running Monitor.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2011, Official Report, columns 646-48W on Sativex, what definition of a prescription item was used in the answer; and whether the information given in the Answer referred to (a) 5ml bottles of Sativex, (b) 10ml bottles of Sativex and (c) other prescribed doses of Sativex.

Simon Burns: Prescriptions are written on a prescription form known as a FP10. Each single item written on the form is counted as a prescription item. An item does not refer to the amount being prescribed and therefore an item could be a number of doses, a single vial or multiple vials.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the effects of changing levels of prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions on the national health service; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: National health service commissioners are responsible for assessing the changing needs of their populations and for commissioning appropriate services within available resources. Information on the national prevalence of the major musculoskeletal conditions is available from various publicly available sources. In assessing the overall funding needed for the NHS, the Department takes into account a range of factors including changes in demand resulting from the changing health needs of an aging population.

NHS: Crimes of Violence

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many violent attacks there were by patients on (a) other patients and (b) staff in each hospital trust in the west midlands and Warwickshire in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held by the Department. Data on violence against national health service staff are available on the NHS Business Services Authority website at the following address:
	www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/SecurityManagement/2286.aspx

NHS: Manpower

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) GPs, (b) NHS dentists, (c) NHS nurses and (d) NHS doctors have been employed in (i) the Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Simon Burns: The annual NHS work force census collects the number of staff employed in the NHS in England at 30 September each year. The numbers of general practitioners (GPs), dentists, nurses and doctors employed in the Jarrow constituency are not available, however, Jarrow is contained within the trusts shown in the following tables. The numbers for South Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT) and NHS Foundation Trust, the North East Strategic Health Authority and England are shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 Number of GPs, NHS nurses and NHS doctors in selected areas  (1)   in England, 1997-2010 
			   1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
			 General practitioners(3)         
			 England  28,046 28,251 28,467 28,593 28,802 29,202 30,358 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  1,432 1,426 1,446 1,453 1,514 1,535 1,611 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Gateshead PCT 5KF n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 122 127 
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 South Tyneside PCT 5KG n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 84 88 
			          
			 GP practice nurses         
			 England  18,389 18,894 19,495 19,200 19,846 20,983 21,667 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  807 954 1,002 881 942 1,031 1,117 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Gateshead PCT 5KF n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 104 109 
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 South Tyneside PCT 5KG n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 77 80 
			          
			 Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): medical and dental staff(4, 5)         
			 England  60,230 62,140 63,994 66,067 68,484 72,168 76,400 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  3,548 3,542 3,749 3,953 4,053 4,178 4,330 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 179 206 199 210 209 208 235 
			 Gateshead PCT(5) 5KF n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 12 13 
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 141 131 157 176 242 218 220 
			 South Tyneside PCT(5) 5KG n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 13 10 
			          
		
	
	
		
			 Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Qualified Nursing Staff(5, 6)         
			 England  300,467 304,563 310,142 316,752 330,535 346,537 364,692 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  17,791 18,079 18,870 19,125 20,035 20,473 20,991 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 n/a 1,201 1,179 1,196 1,226 943 969 
			 Gateshead PCT(5) 5KF n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 230 237 
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 905 854 899 891 916 615 624 
			 South Tyneside PCT(5) 5KG n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 180 185 
		
	
	
		
			   2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010  (2) 
			 General practitioners(3)         
			 England  31,523 32,738 33,091 33,364 34,010 35,917 35,120 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  1,678 1,726 1,815 1,779 1,814 1,891 1,844 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Gateshead PCT 5KF 128 128 134 143 148 152 155 
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 South Tyneside PCT 5KG 88 97 100 97 100 107 105 
			          
			 GP practice nurses         
			 England  22,144 22,904 23,797 22,860 22,048 21,935 21,325 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  1,124 1,064 1,167 1,123 1,099 1,224 1,097 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Gateshead PCT 5KF 102 112 95 95 82 118 80 
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 South Tyneside PCT 5KG 72 66 54 54 47 73 51 
			          
			 Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): medical and dental staff(4, 5)         
			 England  82,951 87,043 90,243 91,790 95,942 100,628 101,917 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  4,699 4,764 4,942 5,145 5,367 5,686 5,820 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 248 267 264 288 309 327 335 
			 Gateshead PCT(5) 5KF 15 15 12 12 11 10 34 
		
	
	
		
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 231 137 145 163 173 184 193 
			 South Tyneside PCT(5) 5KG 10 9 9 9 8 9 1 
			          
			 Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Qualified Nursing Staff(5, 6)         
			 England  375,371 381,257 374,538 376,737 386,112 395,229 389,290 
			 of which:         
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area  22,065 22,291 22,220 22,296 22,937 23,153 22,882 
			 of which:         
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 1,002 1,044 993 1,048 1,095 1,184 1,036 
			 Gateshead PCT(5) 5KF 253 306 325 379 387 423 1,274 
			 South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust RE9 625 639 612 550 540 543 565 
			 South Tyneside PCT(5) 5KG 251 241 235 253 250 261 1 
			 n/a = Denotes not applicable (1 )NHS Workforce data is not available at constituency level. Jarrow is contained within and serviced by the trusts provided here. (2) The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully comparable with previous years data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. (3) General practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars). (4) Excludes medical hospital practitioners and medical clinical assistants, most of whom are GPs working part time in hospitals. (5 )As part of the changes that are currently effecting the organisational structure of the NHS the legally defined PCTs have clustered into larger regional units to provide a more consistent approach to care in their local health economy and to benefit from the savings such as shared management teams that this offers. In the case of the PCTs in the North East of England these changes have been present for some time and this can be seen in the increases and decreases in staff numbers (for example qualified nurses) across the PCTs as provision has been centred on one of the local PCTs within the cluster. (6) Nursing figures include Bank staff. Notes: 1. GP Data as 1 October 1997-99 and 30 September 2000-10. 2. All other figures as at 30 September each year. 3. PCTs did not exist prior to 2002, before this comparable figures are not available. Data Quality: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies within the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Sources: 1. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics 2. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census 3. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-medical Workforce Census 
		
	
	
		
			 Number of GDS and PDS dentists  (1)   by strategic health authority (SHA) and primary care trust (PCT), for selected organisations  (2)   in England, as at 31 March each year 
			  Strategic health authority/primary care trust 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
			  England 16,470 16,932 17,475 17,988 18,353 18,657 18,801 19,026 19,797 21,111 
			             
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA 461 474 485 487 495 511 520 529 549 555 
			             
			  of which:           
			 5KF Gateshead PCT 81 87 88 87 94 87 85 86 78 78 
			 5KG South Tyneside PCT 60 59 61 63 61 62 64 60 61 74 
		
	
	
		
			             
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley SHA 54 364 368 375 376 383 386 395 400 420 
			 (1) This information is based on the old dental contractual arrangements, which were in place up to and including 31 March 2006. (2) NHS Workforce data is not available at constituency level. Jarrow is contained within and serviced by the trusts provided here. Notes: 1. The postcode of the dental practice was used to allocate dentists to specific geographic areas. PCT and SHA areas have been defined using the Office for National Statistics All Fields Postcode Directory. 2. Dentists consist of principals, assistant and trainees. Information on NHS dentistry in the community dental service, in hospitals and in prisons are excluded. 3. The data in this report are based on NHS dentists on PCT lists. These details were passed on to the BSA who paid dentists based on activity undertaken. A dentist can provide as little or as much NHS treatment as he or she chooses or has agreed with the PCT. In some cases an NHS dentist may appear on a PCT list but not perform any NHS work in that period. Most NHS dentists do some private work. The data does not take into account the proportion of NHS work undertaken by dentists. 4. Figures for the numbers of dentists al specified dates may vary depending on the date the figures are compiled. This is because the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) may be notified of joiners or leavers to or from the GDS or PDS up to several months, or more, after the move has taken place. 5. SHA and PCT data include all dentists practising in that area. Some dentists may have an open GDS or PDS contract in more than one PCT or SHA and therefore they have been counted more than once. The total number of dentists given for England does not include duplication. 6. The boundaries used are as at 31 March 2006. Sources: 1. The Information Centre for health and social care. 2. NHS Business Services Authority (BSA).

NHS: Redundancy

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on redundancy packages for staff in the NHS who have gone on to work in another role in the NHS within (a) three, (b) six and (c) 12 months in each of the last three years.

Simon Burns: Information on the amount of expenditure on redundancy packages for national health service staff who have gone on to work in another NHS role is not collected centrally.

NHS: Reorganisation

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there will be a neurology advisory group within the NHS Commissioning Board, as part of the new NHS structure to be established under the provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Simon Burns: Professional and clinical leadership and advice will be central to the decisions made by the NHS Commissioning Board. ‘Developing the NHS Commissioning Board’ sets out the intention to structure the board around the five domains of the outcomes framework, with clear arrangements for key service areas that would gain particular benefit from dedicated professional and clinical leadership. The NHS Commissioning Board, once established in legislation, will determine the governance structures for these service areas.

Nurses: Manpower

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are currently employed in NHS hospitals in each region; and what estimate his Department has made of the number which will be employed in 2014-15.

Anne Milton: Owing to the way the numbers of staff employed is reported, it is not possible to separate nurses from the all qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff group. The following table gives the headcount and full-time equivalent figures from the NHS Information Centre annual census as at 30 September 2010.
	
		
			 Qualified Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Staff 
			  Headcount Full-time equivalent 
			 England 389,290 322,190 
			    
			 North East Strategic Health Authority 22,882 19,872 
			 North West Strategic Health Authority 59,247 50,040 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority 39,861 33,491 
			 East Midlands Strategic Health Authority 28,693 24,086 
			 West Midlands Strategic Health Authority 42,253 34,647 
			 East of England Strategic Health Authority 36,582 29,691 
			 London Strategic Health Authority 67,450 56,226 
			 South East Coast Strategic Health Authority 27,165 21,763 
			 South Central Strategic Health Authority 25,962 20,980 
			 South West Strategic Health Authority 37,357 29,781 
			 Special Health Authorities and other statutory bodies 2,058 1,612 
			 Note: As at 30 September 2010 
		
	
	Local healthcare organisations know the healthcare needs and priorities of their local populations. They are best placed to determine the work force required to deliver safe patient care within their available resources. Strategic health authorities (SHAs) produce integrated plans for their own areas and as part of the 2011-12 integrated planning process, the Department has agreed and signed off the SHA integrated plans for 2011-12. These will be published shortly.

Obesity: Health Services

Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to review the regulation by the Care Quality Commission of organisations that offer medical anti-obesity services.

Simon Burns: The scope of registration by the Care Quality Commission is set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010. The regulated activities include:
	treatment of disease, disorder or injury by, or under the supervision of, a specified health care professional;
	surgical procedures carried out by a health care professional for the purposes of treating disease, disorder or injury or for cosmetic purposes; and
	services in slimming clinics by or under the direction of a medical practitioner, where that includes the prescribing of weight reduction medication.
	All providers of regulated activities must be registered with the Care Quality Commission and meet 16 essential requirements of safety and quality.
	In keeping with the regulatory reform agenda, the Department is committed to keeping the regulations under review.

Physical Therapy

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration his Department has given to promoting World Physical Therapy Day; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to promote World Physical Therapy Day in 2011.

Anne Milton: While the Department did not plan to promote World Physical Therapy Day on 8 September 2011 it was aware of the Workout at Work Day which the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy launched that day and of the many events, small and large that were being planned locally as part of this initiative. The initiative complements the NHS 2012 Sport and Physical Activity Challenge to have national health service employees actively engaged in sport or physical activity as part of, or associated with, their NHS employment, by the time of the Olympics in 2012.

Solvents: Misuse

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths there have been arising from volatile substance abuse (a) nationwide, (b) in each region, (c) by age group, (d) by sex and (e) by substance determined as the cause of death in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated September 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many deaths there have been arising from volatile substance abuse (a) nationwide, (b) in each region, (c) by age group, (d) by sex and (e) by substance determined as the cause of death in each of the last five years. (70469)
	The tables provide the number of deaths where the underlying cause was drug poisoning and a volatile substance was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate for England, Wales, and English regions (Table 1), by age group (Table 2) and by sex (Table 3), in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2010 (the latest year available). Figures showing the substances involved in these deaths are not provided, as this information has not been consistently recorded over time.
	ONS reports annually on deaths relating to drug poisoning in England and Wales. For each death, every substance noted on the death certificate or mentioned by the coroner is recorded. It is important to note that the figures presented are not the total number of deaths involving volatile substances as (i) the underlying cause must be within the ONS definition of drug poisoning and (ii) the volatile substance may not be recorded by the coroner on the death certificate.
	Deaths associated with volatile substance abuse are under-reported in official statistics based on death registration data. A project called the 'National Programme for Substance Abuse Deaths' (NPSAD), funded by the Department of Health, was established to measure trends in these deaths in the UK. The latest report from NPSAD on deaths associated with the abuse of volatile substances is available at:
	www.vsareport.org.
	
		
			 Table 1. Number of deaths attributed to drug poisoning where a volatile substance was mentioned on the death certificate, England, Wal  es and English regions, 2006-10  (1, 2, 3, 4) 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 England 20 22 17 19 17 
			 North East 1 3 1 4 3 
			 North West 1 0 3 4 3 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 4 4 2 1 0 
			 East Midlands 2 0 3 0 4 
			 West Midlands 3 4 1 3 2 
			 East of England 0 4 2 1 2 
			 London 5 2 0 2 1 
			 South East 4 3 3 2 1 
			 South West 0 2 2 2 1 
			 Wales 0 1 1 0 3 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (ICD 10 codes shown in Box 1) and where a volatile substance was mentioned on the death certificate. (2) Based on boundaries as of 2011. (3) Deaths of non-residents are excluded. (4) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2. Number of deaths attributed to drug poisoning where a volatile substance was mentioned  on the death certificate, by age, England and Wales  , 2006-10  (1, 2, 3) 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Under 20 2 5 2 7 4 
			 20-29 9 7 5 6 6 
			 30-39 6 6 9 4 5 
			 40-49 2 3 2 1 3 
			 50 and over 1 2 0 1 2 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (ICD 10 codes shown in Box 1) and where a volatile substance was mentioned on the death certificate. (2) Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (3 )Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 3. Number of deaths attributed to drug poisoning where a volatile substance was mentioned  on the death certificate, by se  x, England and Wales, 2006-  10  (1, 2, 3) 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Males 17 20 16 18 14 
			 Females 3 3 2 1 6 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (ICD 10 codes shown in Box 1) and where a volatile substance was mentioned on the death certificate. (2 )Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. (3 )Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 
		
	
	
		
			 Box1 
			 ICD-10 Code Description 
			 F11-F16, F18-F19 Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) 
			 X40-X44 Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances 
			 X60-X64 Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances 
			 X85 Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances 
			 Y10-Y14 Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent

Worcestershire Primary Care Trust: Property

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to reach a decision on the future of property previously owned by Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

Simon Burns: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are currently working with national health service providers to agree the portfolio of properties that will transfer to them. The Department expects to sign off the provisional lists by 15 December 2011, and that transfers of estate would commence in 2012.
	PCTs will retain those parts of the estate not transferred to NHS providers, for the time being. Further guidance relating to this part of the estate will be issued in due course.

Solvents: Misuse

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether his Department has had recent discussions with the devolved Administrations on the funding of statistical information on the prevention of volatile substance abuse;
	(2)  what funding his Department has allocated to the prevention of volatile substance abuse in each of the last three years;
	(3)  what recent representations his Department has received on funding for the collation of information on volatile substance abuse;
	(4)  what steps his Department is taking to support the collection of statistics on volatile substance abuse deaths during the comprehensive spending review period;
	(5)  how much funding his Department has allocated for the collation of statistics relating to volatile substance abuse deaths in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The Department is reviewing its existing public health information and intelligence functions and considering what data should be collected to inform the work of Public Health England. Decisions on the data requirements for a drugs early warning system, including the collection of Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA) mortality data in the future will need to be based on the outcome of this work. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association have made representations about the importance of collecting data on VSA.
	Spend by the Department on the collection and publication of statistics on VSA is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Spend (£) 
			 20011-12 0 
			 2010-11 0 
			 2009-10 49,218 
			 2008-09 49,218 
			 2007-08 49,218 
		
	
	There have been no recent discussions with the devolved Administrations concerning the funding of statistical information on VSA.
	Frank, the Government's drug information and advice service, provides young people with knowledge to help prevent drug use. The following table shows Frank campaign funding for the last three years for which figures are available. This excludes spending on the Frank helpline which is funded through a contract for various helplines in which the costs attributable to FRANK are not separately identified, but are estimated to be more than £800,000 per annum.
	
		
			  Amount (£ million) 
			 2008-09 6.97 
			 2009-10 5.07 
			 2010-11 0.19

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Advantage West Midlands: Assets

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assets Advantage West Midlands holds in Worcestershire; and how such assets are to be disposed of.

Mark Prisk: Advantage West Midlands (AWM) has a single property asset in Worcestershire, the former Eon substation land adjacent to Bromsgrove Technology Park. This asset is contractually committed to transfer into PxP West Midlands which is the AWM Joint Venture Property Vehicle. PxP West Midlands owns the remainder of the Bromsgrove Technology Park.

Agency Workers Regulations 2010

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the amendment of the Agency Workers Regulations 2010.

Edward Davey: The Government have recently amended the Agency Workers Regulations using SI 2011/1941.
	The Government takes the view that the absolute priority must be to retain the 12-week qualifying period agreed between the TUC and CBI and have no current plans for further amendments which could put this qualifying period at risk.
	We have worked closely with businesses and the recruitment industry to help them prepare for the changes and have published guidance that will help them fully understand their legal obligations as of October.

Apprentices: Construction

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what support the Government offers to self-employed construction workers in taking on apprentices.

John Hayes: The National Apprenticeship Service works with all types of employers in England, including micro businesses, to help them bring apprentices into their business. Employers can access information on apprenticeships by direct telephone or via the website:
	http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/employers.aspx
	Initially, very small businesses may prefer to engage with the programme through an Apprenticeship Training Association (ATA). The National Apprenticeship Service regional work force team can advise employers on the best option for them.
	By their very nature, individuals may be employed by the ATA to begin with, but would be expected to be placed with an employer once they have finished their apprenticeship.

Business

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which entrepreneurs and representatives of business (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have consulted on its policy on small and medium-sized enterprises since his appointment.

Mark Prisk: Ministers and officials from this Department regularly engage with entrepreneurs and business representative groups on a wide range of issues affecting small and medium-sized enterprises. Regular bilaterals are held with key business representative groups at both ministerial and official level to discuss the impact of current policies and to consult on potential new policies.
	There are also more formal mechanisms for ministerial engagement including the Small Business Economic Forum which brings together the business representative bodies, the banks (as required) and a few individual entrepreneurs; and the Entrepreneurs' Forum which comprises 17 entrepreneurs.

Business: Government Assistance

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many applications were made to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme in the last 12 months; and how many of those applications were successful (a) in the Dudley metropolitan borough and (b) nationally.

Mark Prisk: Small businesses apply for a commercial loan from a lender. If the lender deems that the loan applicant is viable but lacks the necessary security or financial track record, the lender is able to offer an Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) backed loan. In the period September 2010 to September 2011, 3,720 EFG backed loans to businesses were drawn nationally, with a total value of £332 million. In the district of Dudley, for the same period, there were 16 EFG backed loans drawn, with a value of £3.9 million.

Competition and Markets Authority

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the inclusion of consideration on health and sustainable development within the remit of the proposed Competition and Markets Authority.

Edward Davey: We consider that the main focus of the proposed new Competition and Markets Authority should be on competition.

Employment Agencies: EU Law

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for a suspension of the implementation of the EU Agency Workers Directive.

Edward Davey: The Government currently have no plans to suspend the implementation of the Agency Workers Directive; the regulations implementing the directive will come into force on 1 October 2011.
	The Government takes the view that the absolute priority must be to retain the 12-week qualifying period agreed between the TUC and CBI and have no current plans for further amendments which could put this qualifying period at risk.
	We have worked closely with businesses and the recruitment industry to help them prepare for the changes and have published guidance that will help them fully understand their legal obligations as of October.

Employment Agencies: EU Law

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effects on small businesses of the entry into force of the EU Agency Workers Directive.

Edward Davey: There are no specific cost estimates for small businesses but agency working is less prevalent in smaller firms so the Impact Assessment concluded that the introduction of the directive was likely to have a lesser impact on smaller firms.
	The January 2010 BIS Impact Assessment "European Parliament and Council Directive on working conditions for temporary agency workers" estimated that the costs of the entry into force of the EU Agency Workers Directive on private sector hirers amounted to around 0.3% (around £1.5 billion) of the total private sector wage bill.
	The Government have worked closely with businesses and the recruitment industry to help them prepare for the changes and have published guidance that will help them fully understand their legal obligations as of October.

English Language: Education

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effects on community cohesion and integration of planned reductions in funding for English for speakers of other languages.

John Hayes: The potential impact on adult learners participating in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses of the changes to eligibility criteria for fee remission proposed in the Government's ‘Skills for Sustainable Growth’ strategy (November 2010) are described in an equality impact assessment, published by this Department on 18 July 2011. This can be found at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/e/11-1045-english-for-speakers-of-other-languages-equality-impact

Green Investment Bank

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of progress in the state aid process for the Green Investment Bank;
	(2)  what credit rating he expects the Green Investment Bank to receive.

Mark Prisk: Implementation of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) will consist of three phases:
	1. Incubation from 2012 to state aid approval. BIS will make direct investments.
	2. Establishment as a stand-alone institution following state-aid approval.
	3. Full borrowing powers from April 2015, subject to public sector net debt falling as a percentage of GDP.
	There is no defined time limit for the state aid approval process although the required market investigation and evidence gathering often result in the process taking 18 months or more.
	Phase III will see the GIB obtain borrowing powers and, depending on the chosen borrowing mechanism, work will begin in earnest on developing the credit rating of the GIB. It is not possible to say now what credit rating the GIB will receive. The Government's document “Update on the design of the Green Investment Bank” provides further detail on the proposals for the GIB.

Health Education

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what plans his Department has to promote exercise and wellbeing in the workplace; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans his Department has to promote physical activity at work; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department of Health and Department for Work and Pensions work closely to promote exercise and well-being in the workplace by developing good practice and positive links between health and work to employers, healthcare professionals and individuals through a range of initiatives including fit for work service pilots, fit note and the helpline for small and medium size enterprises.
	In November 2010 the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), launched ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England’ which sets out the Government's life-cycle approach to improving public health, including physical activity and health and well-being at work.
	As a part of this strategy, in March 2011, the Secretary of State for Health launched the Public Health Responsibility Deal to utilise the potential for businesses and other organisations to improve public health and tackle health inequalities through their influence over food, alcohol, physical activity and health in the workplace.
	The Health and Work network has developed four pledges, which 150 organisations have currently signed up to at least one pledge, aiming to reinforce understanding of the positive link between health and work amongst employers, employees and the general public. Around 100 organisations have pledged to adopt measures to encourage physical activity in the workplace, including walking and cycling to work. The public sector too will be playing its part and in July of this year, the Cabinet Secretary announced a Civil Service Physical Activity Challenge to encourage all civil service organisations to promote physical activity through the workplace.

Higher Education: Tyne and Wear

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many people from (a) Jarrow constituency and (b) South Tyneside attended university in each year since 1997; and from which constituency the highest number of people attended university in each such year;
	(2)  how many people in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England enrolled at university in each year since 1997.

David Willetts: The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown in the table. The parliamentary constituency with the highest number of enrolments in each academic year is shown in the last column with the number of enrolments in brackets.
	
		
			 Enrolments  (1)   from Jarrow parliamentary constituency, South Tyneside local authority, North East region and England UK higher education institutions, academic years 1997/98 to 2009/10 
			 Academic year Jarrow South Tyneside North East England Constituency with highest number 
			 1997-98 1,765 3,050 55,315 1,272,780 Bristol West (5,865) 
			 1998-99 1,805 3,125 58,415 1,308,300 Bristol West (5,820) 
			 1999-2000 1,790 3,090 60,050 1,309,505 Hendon (6,035) 
			 2000-01 1,715 2,930 60,985 1,339,120 Hendon (6,225) 
			 2001-02 1,775 3,000 62,615 1,377,475 Bristol West (6,990) 
			 2002-03 1,875 3,250 65,980 1,435,655 Bristol West (6,980) 
			 2003-04 1,980 3,420 67,925 1,492,580 Hendon (6,975) 
			 2004-05 2,160 3,765 70,305 1,524,120 Bristol West (6,625) 
			 2005-06 2,100 3,630 71,015 1,533,770 Bristol West (6,935) 
			 2006-07 2,045 3,600 72,290 1,494,595 Bristol West (6,645) 
			 2007-08 2,045 3,630 71,780 1,546,080 Bristol West (5,970) 
			 2008-09 2,125 3,790 74,420 1,582,375 Bristol West (6,820) 
			 2009-10 2,110 3,710 73,670 1,629,710 Bristol West (6,365) 
			 (1) Covers enrolments from all levels and modes of study.  Notes:  1. Figures are based on a snapshot as at 1 December and have been rounded to the nearest five.  2. Figures exclude students whose geographical location could not be established due to missing or invalid postcode information.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record.

Insolvency

Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of micro-businesses in the insolvency profession.

Mark Prisk: Official sources of business statistics do not contain the information required to answer this question because businesses in the insolvency sector are not identified as a distinct industrial category.

Local Enterprise Partnerships: Lancashire

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding he has made available to the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership since its inception.

Mark Prisk: Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) are able to apply to Government funding to support their development through this Department's Capacity and Start-up Funds.
	The Lancashire LEP was not in place in time to apply for funding from the first round of the capacity fund. They will be eligible to apply for the next round anticipated to open towards the end of this year. The partnership was eligible to apply for support from the start up fund but chose not to submit an application.
	LEPs can also apply for funding to support specific programmes or projects, for example, the Regional Growth Fund or through the Technology Strategy Board. LEPs can also access European funding streams or may receive financial support from local authorities.

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2011, Official Report, column 1200W, on motor vehicles: industry, if he will initiate discussions with (a) Government Departments and (b) other public bodies to increase the purchase by such bodies of motor vehicles produced in Britain.

Mark Prisk: There are no current plans to discuss this specific issue. However, as stated by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), on 5 July 2011, the Government are considering whether the UK is making best use of the application of the European Union procurement rules, where they apply, and taking the most effective approach to procurement. Conclusions arising from this work will be published as part of the growth review, alongside the autumn statement.

National Renewable Energy Centre

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress his Department has made in facilitating the commissioning of the National Renewable Energy Centre's Nautilus marine energy testing facility.

Mark Prisk: Between 2009 and 2011, the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) received a £10 million grant from the “Strategic Investment Fund” in BIS for the Nautilus test rig. In addition, the project has ERDF funding in this financial year.
	The build and commissioning of the facility is managed directly by Narec as the asset owner. BIS continues to monitor the project both directly and through its partner organisations to ensure timely completion. Narec are forecasting that the facility will be commissioned in spring 2012.

Nuclear Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what officials or special advisors in his Department provided briefings on nuclear power generation to the Government Chief Scientific Advisor between 10 and 15 March 2011; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many (a) emails and (b) other communications officials or special advisors working in his Department sent to representatives of nuclear power companies or the nuclear power industry between 10 and 15 March 2011; how many officials or special advisors working in his Department were directly or indirectly involved in providing research or briefing support on nuclear power generation to Ministers or Government representatives between those dates; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what meetings took place between members of his ministerial team or officials working in his Department and representatives of nuclear power companies or the nuclear power industry between 10 and 15 March 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: There were no briefings given to the Government chief scientific adviser from officials or special advisors in BIS on nuclear power generation. A member of British Energy, now part of EDF energy, took part in a Scientific Advisory Group in Emergencies (SAGE) meeting on 15 March to provide specific advice on the type of reactor used at Fukushima Dai-ichi and its implications in the emerging incident. The individual involved was invited to provide specialist knowledge to the discussion on reactors built in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The minutes of that meeting are available at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/go-science/science-in-government/global-issues/civil-contingencies/sage-15-march-2011
	Nine emails were sent to representatives of nuclear power companies by BIS officials between 10 and 15 March. No other communications were sent. No officials or special advisers working in this Department were directly or indirectly involved in providing research or briefing support on nuclear power generation to Ministers or Government representatives.
	The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, my noble Friend Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, attended a meeting on 11 March 2011, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Areva and Rolls Royce.

Occupational Pensions

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken to provide information on the implications of proposed pension changes from 2012 for (a) sole traders, (b) micro firms, (c) small and medium enterprises and (d) large firms.

Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply.
	Employers will be staged into the new duties in the Pensions Act 2008 to automatically enrol their workers into a workplace pension and to make contributions to their pension between October 2012 and September 2016. Large employers will be brought into the duties first and small firms will not have to implement automatic enrolment until April 2014 at the earliest. Sole traders are not covered by the reforms.
	The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is responsible for ensuring employers are aware of their duties and how to comply with them. As part of this, TPR has already published:
	Detailed guidance on the reforms for larger employers and intermediaries to explain the whole process of automatic enrolment:
	http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/pensions-reform/detailed-guidance.aspx
	Interactive tools which are targeted at smaller businesses, who may not have in-house pension expertise:
	http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/employers/tools.aspx
	Leaflets and checklists to introduce the reforms to employers and their intermediaries:
	http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/employers.aspx
	TPR will be writing to all employers, 12 and three months ahead of the date when the employer duties will apply to them informing them of the date they need to start enrolling staff; where they can find out more information and guidance about the reforms; and a checklist of things they should consider. TPR has already written to the largest companies.
	The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is working closely with TPR to develop an integrated programme of communications for employers explaining the reforms through a variety of media including national press, business websites and online.
	In addition, DWP are developing information material to help employers of all sizes communicate the reforms to their workers, including templates to help employers meet their statutory information requirements.

Overseas Trade

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department publishes on future trade missions to be undertaken by Ministers of his Department; how much prior notification is provided to external bodies; and how such information is publicised.

Mark Prisk: Due to security considerations, these visits are not generally publicised. Only when all elements are finalised, including the business delegation, and at a time very near to the event, are details made more widely available.

Overseas Trade: East Midlands

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage the development of business and trade links between India and (a) Leicester and (b) the east midlands.

Mark Prisk: The coalition Government have committed to an enhanced partnership with India, with trade and investment at the centre of our prosperity and growth agenda with them. A year on from the Prime Minister's visit to India we have enhanced our engagement with India politically and commercially, including:
	the launch of an India-UK CEO forum;
	a reinvigorated Joint Economic and Trade Committee;
	the launch of UK-India Research and Education Initiative II;
	the recent Economic and Financial Dialogue; and
	many successful business deals which have led to the creation of jobs and an increase in our bilateral trade.
	The Government, through UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), continue to deliver a full programme of work related to increasing UK exports, attracting more Indian investment into the UK and improving the business environment in both countries.
	In respect of the east midlands, following the closure of the East Midlands India Business Bureau, UKTI's east midlands team has taken over their work and appointed Stuart Muir to lead the development of Leicester and east midlands companies into India. He is developing an India strategy for the East Midlands. In the meantime current activity includes:
	Support for the UK-India Food Conference and Buyer-Seller Meeting being organised by the Leicester-based Indo-British Trade Council to be held at the University of Leicester from 30 August to 1 September;
	An inward visit to the East Midlands by a UKTI trade specialist from Mumbai in September focusing on the creative and media, and education and training sectors;
	An Institute of Directors/UKTI seminar with the Deputy High Commissioner for Chennai in October at the Nottingham Conference Centre focused on India;
	An east midlands trade mission to Mumbai and New Delhi in February/March 2012.
	East midlands companies have access to UKTI and UK India Business Council services to assist them to enter the markets most suitable to their overseas business development needs.

Package Holidays: Consumers

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the consumer protection afforded to holidaymakers under Regulations 16 to 22 of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness as a deterrent of the sanctions applicable to organisers who conduct tour operating businesses in contravention of the financial protection measures enacted by Regulations 16 to 22 of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992;
	(3)  whether he plans to amend the financial protection measures enacted by Regulations 16 to 22 of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.

Edward Davey: The Department has made no formal assessment of the effectiveness of regulations 16 to 22 of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 recently; neither has it formally assessed the effectiveness of the sanctions applicable to tour operators which operate in contravention of those provisions.
	The Department is in regular contact with the enforcement authorities, package travel organisers and their representative organisations and consumer representatives. This contact has given us no cause for concern that these regulations are not generally complied with by those who organise packages, nor that the regulations do not provide adequate protection against organiser insolvency in respect of the vast majority of the millions of consumers who travel on packages every year.
	The Department has no plans to amend the relevant regulations. We expect the European Commission to propose changes to the European directive which these regulations implement in the course of next year. We envisage that it will be necessary to amend the regulations generally when those negotiations have concluded.

Parthenon Group

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when the Minister for Universities and Science first met representatives of the Parthenon Group following his appointment; and whether subsequent meetings have taken place.

David Willetts: I have not met with representatives of the Parthenon Group.
	A quarterly-updated list of all BIS ministerial meetings with external organisations is also available at:
	http://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/disclosure-ministerial-hospitality-received-department-for-business

Postal Services: Fraud

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps Royal Mail takes to intercept postal scams (a) in general and (b) those targeted on elderly and vulnerable people.

Edward Davey: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail.
	I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Moya Greene, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Postal Services: Redditch

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the quality of postal services in Redditch constituency.

Edward Davey: This Department does not hold any information pertaining to the quality of the postal service in Redditch. Quality of service is an operational matter which is the responsibility of Royal Mail.
	I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Moya Greene, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Rolling Stock: Exports

Margaret Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to (a) assess the overseas market for and (b) promote the export of railway rolling stock manufactured in the UK;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to promote the export of railway rolling stock manufactured in the UK.

Mark Prisk: The UK Trade and Investment's (UKTI) rail sector team collects market intelligence from our commercial sections in UK embassies, high commissions and industry sources. This feeds into an annual UKTI rail sector action plan which is devised to identify overseas business opportunities for the UK rail sector. It is agreed in partnership with industry representatives who sit on the UKTI Rail Sector Advisory Group (which includes a roiling stock manufacturer) and the promotion of rolling stock equipment exports is part of that action plan. UKTI and relevant parts of the industry actively pursue these opportunities through a number of targeted activities including trade missions to key markets, inward VIP visits, and major rail exhibitions.

Vocational Education: Costs

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to the public purse was, in current prices, of the Capita IT system for individual learning accounts.

John Hayes: The value of the contract with Capita for the delivery costs of the Individual Learning Accounts between the financial year 2000/01 to 2002/03 was set out in the 10th report from the Public Accounts Committee concerning the individual learning accounts. This is set out in the following table, alongside the respective amount in today's prices.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Delivery costs—Capita contract  (1) Real terms  (2) 
			 2002/03 1,500,000 1,845,268 
			 2001/02 20,500,000 26,030,754 
			 2000/01 15,600,000 20,251,850 
			 (1 )Source—Public Accounts Committee Tenth Report—Individual Learning Accounts, published 17 April 2003. (2) These figures have been calculated using HM Treasury Deflators, last updated 28 June 2011.

TRANSPORT

Aviation: Olympic Games 2012

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 19 July 2011, Official Report, columns 113-4WS, on Olympics: airspace, what estimate he has made of the potential change in the (a) number of night flights at Heathrow and (b) unexpected over-flights in respite periods during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Theresa Villiers: The announcement about Olympics airspace restrictions will have no effect on the number of night flights at or over-flying Heathrow. There are no plans to amend the existing night flights regime at Heathrow during the Games period.

Biofuels

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the contribution of imports of biofuels from (a) EU and (b) non-EU sources to the achievement of the renewable transport target set under the Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC);
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of sustainable biofuels derived from feedstocks grown in the UK in each year to 2020;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the potential for investment in sustainable biofuels between 2014 and 2020.

Norman Baker: The Government support biofuels through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The RTFO includes a certificate trading mechanism to increase the efficiency of compliance.
	The value of individual Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) is determined by the market. We continue to monitor the market value of RTFCs and consider that to date the RTFO has met its objective of driving a market for renewable transport fuels in the UK.
	The Department for Transport now administers the RTFO and produces statistics on the country of origin of feedstocks used for biofuels supplied under the RTFO. Unverified data for April 2010 to April 2011 is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/biofuels-statistics-quarterly-year-to-april-2011
	These statistics suggest that 22% of biofuel supplied to the UK is derived from domestically sourced feedstocks. This is up on the figure from the previous year, when only 11% of biofuel came from feedstocks produced in the UK. The year before that, the figure was 9%.
	There is no estimate made of the contribution of imports of biofuels to meeting targets in the renewable energy directive, or on the proportion of sustainable biofuels derived from feedstocks grown in the UK in each year, to 2020. However, the Department has commissioned a number of research projects, collectively known as the “Biofuels Modes research” to investigate the potential supply and use of biofuels in the UK out to 2020 and 2050.
	This Biofuels Modes research is considering the availability of biofuel feedstock supply from UK, EU and non-EU imports and will be published later this year. Further details on this work are available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/biofuels/research/

Buses: Concessions

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the withdrawal of the coach concessionary travel scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: holding answer 7 September 2011
	By 6 September 2011, the Department for Transport had received representations on changes in the funding of the concessionary coach travel scheme from a number of MPs on behalf of their constituents, from one coach operator and from a number of individuals. The funding changes were announced as part of the 2010 spending review.

Buses: Concessions

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of people aged over 60 years (a) in total and (b) with a disability who are eligible for the Concessionary Coach Travel Scheme in (i) England, (ii) west midlands and (iii) Dudley borough.

Norman Baker: holding answer 7 September 2011
	The following table shows population estimates from the Office for National Statistics of the number of people aged 60 years and older in mid-2010 who are eligible for the concessionary coach travel scheme in England:
	
		
			 Area 2010 
			 (i) England 11,746,500 
			 (ii) West Midlands 1,270,000 
			 (iii) Dudley borough 77,000 
		
	
	The Department does not hold information on the number of people with a disability who are eligible for the concessionary coach travel scheme in England, the west midlands or Dudley borough.

Cars: Tyres

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions his Department has had on the provision by car manufacturers of non-standard tyres for use as spares in new vehicles;
	(2)  whether he has any plans to introduce a mandatory requirement for all motor vehicles to carry a spare wheel and tyre.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport is routinely engaged in discussions on EU and UNECE vehicle construction standards. These include standards on ‘space saver’ temporary use spare tyres. However there have not been any recent discussions on this particular issue.
	There are no plans to introduce a mandatory requirement for vehicles to carry a spare wheel and tyre.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for which reason the Dartford Crossing tolls were not lifted on 16 July 2011 in line with the protocol he announced on 30 June.

Michael Penning: On 16 July at 13.01pm a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) broke down on the QEII bridge which affected southbound traffic. The recovery took 50 minutes to complete because the HGV's air brakes had to be released mechanically.
	The operation protocol set out the conditions which have to exist for a senior HA official to consider whether the Dartford Crossing charge can be suspended on a case by case basis. The conditions are that there has been or is likely to be an emergency situation, where continuous queues, travelling at less than 10 mph, extend back—or have the potential to extend back—to the junctions 4 or 28 of the M25 or beyond, and where the suspension of the charge would ease the congestion and assist in managing the emergency situation. The protocol is set out in full at:
	http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/documents/Dartford_ Crossing_Charging_-__Suspension_Protocol_Rev_A.pdf
	On 16 July, traffic at its most severe extended back for five miles from the Crossing and did not reach junction 28. This does not meet the criteria for suspending the tolls.
	The HA will continue to assess all traffic conditions that occur at the Dartford Crossing on a case-by-case basis, against the criteria for severe congestion, during the six-month trial of the operational protocol, to evaluate its effectiveness in dealing with such circumstances.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons tolls on the Dartford Crossing were not lifted on 26 July 2011 to take account of circumstances where queues on the M25 exceeded 10 miles.

Michael Penning: The traffic conditions on 26 July did not meet the specified criteria for severe congestion set out in the operational protocol being trialled by the Highways Agency. The Road User Charge was therefore not suspended.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions Dartford tolls have been suspended since 1 July 2011.

Michael Penning: Since 1 July 2011, the Dartford Crossing Road User Charge has been suspended once, at 2.18 pm on 26 August.

East Coast Railway Line: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to re-let the Intercity East Coast rail franchise.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 4 July 2011
	The new InterCity East Coast franchise will commence in December 2013.

Electric Vehicles: Visual Impairment

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) meetings and (b) representations (i) he and (ii) Ministers in his Department have had with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association on the audibility of (A) electric and (B) hybrid vehicles.

Norman Baker: Departmental officials have had some correspondence with Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to inform them of the start and publication of research the Department had commissioned on audibility and accident risk of hybrid and electric vehicles. Guide Dogs for the Blind also provided the Department with guidelines they had developed for artificial sound for hybrid and electric vehicles.
	I have recently received a request from Richard Leaman, chief executive of Guide Dogs for the Blind for a meeting to discuss the results of research conducted by TRL on this issue and will be responding shortly.

Large Goods Vehicles

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the (a) public health, (b) safety and (c) environmental effects of increasing the length of lorries; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The public health, safety and environmental effects of increasing the length of lorries were set out in the Impact Assessment and supporting research published alongside the consultation document. Further evidence provided in responses to the consultation is being reviewed.

Large Goods Vehicles

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent consultations he has undertaken to ensure that his Department's proposals for longer lorries takes account of the views of (a) cyclists, (b) motoring organisations, (c) local government and (d) the rail industry; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The Government's consultation on whether to allow an increase in the length of articulated lorries was widely circulated to interested parties including cycling bodies, motoring organisations, local government bodies (the Local Government Association and the and Welsh Local Government Association) and the Rail Freight Group and rail freight operators.
	In support of the consultation, the Department also offered to meet key bodies potentially affected by the proposals. Invitations were sent to the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the Rail Freight Group, Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT), Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), Road Safety GB, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the AA, Campaign for Better Transport, Freight on Rail, SUSTRANS, CTC, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Friends of the Earth, the London Cycling Campaign (LCC), British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), and Motorcycle Action Group UK (MAG).
	The following organisations accepted the offer and met officials to discuss the proposals: FTA, RHA, the Rail Freight Group, CIHT, Campaign for Better Transport, Freight on Rail, CTC, LCC, BMF, MAG and Cambridge Cycling Campaign.

Merchant Shipping: Training

Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has had recent discussions on steps to increase the number of Merchant Navy training facilities for (a) officers and (b) other ranks.

Michael Penning: None to date. In July, I visited Fleetwood Nautical Campus where I saw the excellent work of both the campus staff and the Merchant Navy Training Board in promoting and developing seafarer education, training and skills.

Merchant Shipping: Training

Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Merchant Navy training facilities there were for (a) officers and (b) other ranks in the latest period for which figures are available.

Michael Penning: There are 12 colleges and universities around the UK that provide seafarer education and training programmes and courses aimed at both new entrants to the industry and experienced seafarers at all levels. The range of programmes and courses they provide is wide and varied.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment the Government has made of the level of use of the Motor Insurance Database by insurance companies for reasons other than reducing the number of uninsured cars on the road.

Michael Penning: None. The motor insurance industry is responsible for the Motor Insurance Database (MID) and for any decisions on access to or use of its data.

Network Rail: Biodiversity

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice his Department gives to Network Rail on sustaining biodiversity (a) alongside rail tracks and (b) on other land owned by Network Rail.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 8 September 2011
	The Department for Transport does not provide specific advice or guidance on biodiversity management to Network Rail. However, Network Rail's network licence conditions as agreed with the Office of Rail Regulation require it to have a written policy designed to protect the environment.
	In addition, and as set out in the Government's Natural Environment White Paper, “The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature” published in June 2011, we are committed to working with our transport agencies and key delivery partners, such as Network Rail, to contribute to the creation of coherent and resilient ecological networks, supported, where appropriate, by organisation-specific biodiversity action plans. In support of this the Department intends to host a forum with environmental stakeholders to inform future priorities for the enhancement of transport green corridors.

Northern Rail

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what subsidy has been paid from the public purse (a) directly and (b) via Passenger Transport Executives to Northern in each year of its franchise.

Norman Baker: holding answer 6 September 2011
	Details of subsidy and premium payments in respect of all train operating companies along with payments to Passenger Transport Executives are published annually by the Office Of Rail Regulation in National Rail Trends. This is available on the ORR's website at:
	www.rail-reg.gov.uk
	In addition, all transactions over £500 by the Department are published monthly on our website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/transparency

Official Cars

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any discretion is given to Ministers in the selection of a make of car for the purposes of official travel.

Michael Penning: holding answer 7 September 2011
	Cabinet Ministers are able to choose a car for official travel from the Government Car and Despatch Agency fleet. Models available include the Jaguar XJ and XF Diesel and the Toyota Avensis or Prius Hybrid. Other Ministers who use the ministerial car pool service are driven in a hybrid model from Toyota or Honda.

Official Cars

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the make and model of each vehicle currently used by the Government Car and Despatch Agency's (a) allocated service and (b) ministerial car pool.

Michael Penning: The Government Car and Despatch Agency has a number of different car makes and models in its ministerial fleet as follows:
	(a) Allocated service comprises:
	1 x Jaguar XF
	5 x Jaguar XJ
	2 x Toyota Avensis Diesel
	5 x Toyota Prius.
	(b) Ministerial car pool comprises:
	6 x Toyota Avensis Diesel
	22 x Honda Civic Hybrid
	42 x Toyota Prius.

Oil: Pollution

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government has used the European Maritime Safety Agency oil spill response vessels to respond to an oil spill in the last 10 years.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has not used the European Maritime Safety Agency oil spill response vessels in response to an oil spill in the last 10 years.

Oil: Pollution

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the European Maritime Safety Agency's oil spill response vessels are included in the UK's response to any oil spills.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency can use the European Maritime Safety Agency's oil spill response vessel in response to an oil spill in UK waters if appropriate.

Railways: Fares

Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects passengers travelling between Bristol and the far South West to pay the same ticket price per mile as those travelling between Bristol and London after the completion of planned electrification works.

Theresa Villiers: The Government will be conducting a general review of fares policy but we do not currently have specific plans to change fares regulation on the two routes referred to by my hon. Friend.

Railways: Greater Manchester

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of peak-time rail travel in Greater Manchester.

Theresa Villiers: In May 2011, Network Rail produced a Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) for the north of England. This included forecasts for increases in peak passenger demand into Manchester, as follows:
	
		
			 Percentage 
			  2014 2019 2024 2029 
			 Low 3 13 21 32 
			 High 17 39 52 66 
			 Base year: 2008-09 financial year

Railways: Passengers

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answers of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column 188W and 10 June 2011, Official Report, column 496W, on railways: passengers, when he expects to provide an update on expected passenger demand on the London to Alton and London to Petersfield rail lines.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport is continuing to work with Stagecoach South West Trains and Network Rail to assess future demand on the London to Alton and London to Petersfield rail lines with a view to securing additional passenger capacity. An announcement is expected to be made in due course.

Rescue Services

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether emergency calls would first be routed through the proposed Maritime Operations Centre under the revised proposals for the future of the Coastguard Service; and whether his Department has conducted a risk assessment of such a change in the coastguard's operations.

Michael Penning: The concept of operations in the revised proposals still provides, as at present, that distress alerts, whether from radio or the 999 system, would be routed in the first instance to the nearest co-ordination centre for handling.
	This represents no change to the process currently in place for the handling of emergency calls and therefore no risk assessment is necessary.

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many outage incidents there have been at (a) Milford Haven and (b) Swansea Maritime Resource Co-ordination Centre in the last year; and how many servers have been replaced in each location in that period.

Michael Penning: Outage is defined as:
	“Failure of Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) communication systems such that the ability to communicate via VHF radio, DSC or telephone is compromised to the extent that alternative 'off station' procedures are put into place to continue service.”
	In the past year to date:
	(a) there have been three unplanned and two planned outages at Milford Haven MRCC; and
	(b) one planned outage at Swansea MRCC.
	In respect of the unplanned outages at Milford Haven, the failures have been traced back to a root cause of excess moisture in the power and equipment space and remedial work has been undertaken to rectify this. The MCA has taken the opportunity under the planned outages to proactively replace elements of the mains wiring infrastructure that was shown to be close to capacity.
	Under the proposed technical design for the future coastguard architecture, the types of failure that have affected Milford Haven would not have the same impact to operational frontline services as they have had to date. The services would be connected to two separate data centres housed away from the local operations rooms, and as such any local power or server failure would only affect the local operator's ability to connect to the resources and other operators around the UK would be able to maintain operational communications within the area(s) affected.
	In the past year to date:
	(a) there have been three servers replaced, three new servers installed, and one server removed at Milford Haven MRCC; and
	(b) four servers replaced, two new servers installed, and one server removed at Swansea MRCC.
	These server changes have all been as the result of planned project upgrades as part of the Radio Equipment Replacement upgrade project.

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he consulted local coastguard management in reaching his decision that there are no operational or financial factors that favour retention of either Milford Haven or Swansea Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre over the other.

Michael Penning: The announcement we made on 14 July took full account of the advice of the senior management of the MCA. We included a specific question in the consultation document to provide everyone, including local coastguard managers, with an opportunity to bring to our attention any additional factors to be addressed before reaching final conclusions.

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) rooms, (b) working space and (c) facilities are available at (i) Milford Haven and (ii) Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

Michael Penning: The descriptions of the space and facilities at Milford Haven and Swansea Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC) are as follows:
	(i) Milford Haven MRCC Facilities (418.3 Square Metres)
	MCA Marine Surveyors unit and office
	Administration unit office/Reception area
	Operations Room
	Radio Room
	Emergency Planning/Training/Meeting Room (30+ persons)
	Spare office for visiting officers/Press/Second meeting room (12 persons)
	Large Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager's Office/Third meeting area
	MCA Vessel Traffic and Monitoring Systems Manager's Office
	Kitchen/Galley
	Gents/Ladies WC
	Disabled WC
	Shower Room
	Rest Room
	Locker room
	Store/Archive room
	2(nd) Store/File room
	Cleaner/utility room
	Boiler room
	Plant room (A/C)
	Integral Fuel store/Generator room
	Bike/General purpose shed
	MCA (HSE licensed) Expired Pyrotechnic Bunkers (x two)
	Own car park and shared overflow car park (with co-sited Port Authority Control HQ Building)
	(ii) Swansea MRCC Facilities (574.5 Square Metres)
	Regional Business Unit Office
	Operations Room
	Emergency Planning Room
	Radio Room
	Coastal Safety Manager's Office
	Spare Office for visiting officers
	Regional Business Manager's Office
	Conference/Training Room
	Kitchen/Galley
	Gents/Ladies WC
	Disabled WC
	Shower Room
	Rest Room
	Regional Civil Contingencies Manager's Office
	Press Office
	Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager's Office
	Locker room
	Store room
	File room
	Boiler room
	Plant room (A/C)
	Regional Business Unit Archive Store
	Aerial tower (next to building)
	Bike shed
	Fuel store/Generator room (near to but separate from the main building).

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the relocation of the Regional Business Unit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency based at the Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) currently has no intention to vacate the building at Swansea Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) due to the other MCA functions that operate from the site. Therefore the MCA has no current plans to relocate the MCA's Regional Business Unit from its present site.

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria were used to identify the location for maritime rescue coordination centres to be retained in the coastguard reform process.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) published a suite of documents about the impact and risks in respect of the coastguard modernisation proposals in the first consultation document, published on 16 December 2010. The Location impact Assessment, sub-centre rationale and supporting tables can be found on the MCA's website at the following link:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/8.location_impact_assessment_and _sub-centre_rationale_v3.pdf

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents were dealt with by (a) Milford Haven and (b) Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in the last five years.

Michael Penning: Incident statistics for the years 2006-10 for all Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC). These are available on the MCA's website at the following link:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/hmcg_adu_2006-2010_by_station.pdf
	The incident numbers for Milford Haven and Swansea MRCCs are as follows:
	
		
			  MRCC 
			  Swansea Milford Haven 
			 2006 1,239 676 
			 2007 1,533 724 
			 2008 1,304 680 
			 2009 1,836 770 
			 2010 1,795 774

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the running costs were of (a) Milford Haven and (b) Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in the last five years.

Michael Penning: The following table shows the annual running costs for the Swansea and Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) for the last five complete financial years. These include costs for telecoms; utilities; rates; repairs and maintenance to the estate; grounds maintenance; cleaning; waste disposal; and furniture and fittings.
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Swansea MRCC 0.11 0.10 0.07 0.10 0.08 
			 Milford Haven MRCC 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.06

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the consultation exercise on his revised proposals for reform of the coastguard service will be subject to the same independent review procedure as the original consultation, Protecting our Seas and Shores in the 21st Century.

Michael Penning: Yes. The consultation will be subject to the same review procedure as the original consultation.

Rescue Services

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport from which local authority area each of the successful applicants came in the last three trawls for new coastguard officers to serve at Milford Haven Maritime Coordination Rescue centre.

Michael Penning: Six new coastguard officers were employed as a result of the last three trawls for positions at Milford Haven Maritime Coordination Rescue Centre. At the time of their recruitment the individuals lived in the following local authorities:
	Two in Pembrokeshire county council;
	Two in Ceredigion county council;
	One in Powys county council; and
	One in city and county of Swansea.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the procurement of new diesel trains.

Theresa Villiers: The procurement of rolling stock is usually a matter for train operators and rolling stock leasing companies, with the Department's role being limited to ensuring that taxpayers and fare-payers receive value for money.
	The expansion in the number of electrified rail routes may mean that fewer diesel trains will be needed in the future.

Rolling Stock: Public Finance

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost to the public purse was of administering rolling stock procurement in (a) 2007, (b) 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010; and how much was spent in each category of expenditure.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 7 September 2011
	I regret that this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Shipping: EU Law

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to establish a vessel traffic monitoring and information system following the request from the EU Commission of 16 June 2011.

Michael Penning: The UK already has established vessel traffic and monitoring systems in place based on the requirements of the original EU directive in 2002. The EU Commission's letter of 16 June 2011 concerns the UK's implementation of the 2009 amending directive, which makes several changes to the systems already established.
	Secondary legislation and the appropriate guidance required to implement the 2009 amending directive are being prepared with a view to them being in place by the end of the year.

Shipping: Sulphur

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the (a) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) International Maritime Organisation on the effects on shipping of the sulphur emission levels in emissions control areas.

Michael Penning: While no Secretary of State level meetings have been held on this issue, officials at the Department for Transport (a) are in discussion with their colleagues in DEFRA and (b) play an active role in the discussions on this subject in the International Maritime Organization.

Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings (a) Ministers in his Department and (b) senior departmental officials had with representatives of (i) Bombardier and (ii) Siemens between 10 July 2008 and 16 June 2011 at which the Thameslink rolling stock contract was discussed.

Theresa Villiers: The information is as follows:
	For the answer to (a) I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr Denham) of 8 September 2011, Official Report, column 767W.
	In the period 10 July 2008-16 June 2011 senior departmental officials had a large number of meetings with representatives of both Bombardier and Siemens regarding the Thameslink rolling stock contract.

Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the (a) invitation to tender, (b) bid assessment criteria and (c) bid evaluation for the Thameslink rolling stock contract. [R]

Theresa Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 12 July 2011, Official Report, column 236W and 19 July 2011, Official Report, column 969W.

Vehicle Number Plates: Flags

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on how many vehicles have failed an MOT test due to an issue with the vehicle's number plate in the last 12 months.

Michael Penning: Figures for the number of vehicles which have failed their MOT tests solely because of issues with the vehicle registration plate are not available. However, in 2009-10, the latest year for which figures are available, 135,809 cars, light vans and motorbikes failed an MOT due to an issue with the registration plate or VIN number. These vehicles could have also failed the MOT for additional reasons.
	A vehicle can fail an MOT due to the registration plate being missing; insecure; faded, dirty, deteriorated or obscured to the point that it is not easily legible to a person standing 20 metres from the vehicle; or the letters and figures being incorrectly spaced, of unequal width over the whole length, or likely to be misread.